Rony Xovany Hernandez, 33

Rony Xovany Hernandez, a 33-year-old Latino, died from blunt force injuries and strangulation Wednesday, March 1, in the 400 block of East 41st Place in Historic South-Central, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 6 a.m., a passerby at Gilbert Lindsay Park found Hernandez unresponsive, Los Angeles Police Det. Dan Gersna said.

Hernandez was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m. at the scene, according to coroner’s records.

Police think Hernandez got into an argument with another person earlier that morning, around 4 or 4:15 a.m.

Gersna said Hernandez and his assailant were not strangers.

Luciano Aparicio, a 28-year-old Latino, was charged March 3 with one count of murder with an allegation that he used an ax as a deadly weapon, according to Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Aparicio pleaded not guilty April 3 and is due back in court May 11, Santiago said in an email.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Division detectives at (323) 846-6556. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

FOR THE RECORD: A previous version of this article stated that Hernandez had been shot. He died from blunt force injuries and strangulation. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.