Crime & Safety

2nd Suspect Arrested in Death of Man Found in Burning SUV

Jose Martinez is arrested in connection with the death of Long Beach resident Christopher Waters, whose body was found in a burning SUV in Rancho Palos Verdes.

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of the man whose body was found in a burning car in Rancho Palos Verdes, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies believe that Jose Angel Martinez, 18, of Compton, was involved in the April 23 death of Long Beach resident Christopher Waters. Martinez' bail was set at $1 million, according to Deputy Mark Pope of the sheriff's headquarters bureau. Martinez was arrested Wednesday and is due at his first court appearance on Friday.

A 17-year-old juvenile, Adrian Berumen, was arrested last week in connection with Waters' death and charged with Waters' murder on May 3. His identity was not revealed until Wednesday.

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Berumen turns 18 next month and is being prosecuted as an adult. His arraignment is set for May 21 at the Long Beach courthouse.

Waters' body was found in the back of a burning SUV parked in the 30100 block of Miraleste Drive. His feet were bound together and a cord was wrapped around his neck.

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Authorities believe Waters was killed in Long Beach and his body driven to Rancho Palos Verdes in the SUV, where that vehicle was then set on fire. A cause of death and a possible motive for the homicide have not yet been released.

Martinez was booked into jail on suspicion of murder and is being held on a $1 million bail. He is due to appear in court in Long Beach on May 10.

—City News Service contributed to this report.

Related:

  • Update: Burned Body Found in SUV Identified
  • Autopsy Conducted on Body Found in Burned SUV
  • Teen Arrested in Connection With Body Found in Burned SUV


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