Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Burning Death Of Man Chained To A Fence May Have Been Suicide
The death of a possible transient whose badly burned body was found chained to a fence might have been a suicide, according to authorities.
The body was found around 7:15 a.m. on the 1700 block of Mesmer Avenue in Playa Vista, according to City News Service. The body was that of a man, but his identity could not be immediately established because he was so thoroughly burned, the L.A. Times reports. An empty gas can was found nearby. Authorities are believing that the man was a transient because they have been known to frequent the area where the body was found.
NBC4 reports that authorities are searching for any video surveillance footage to determine what happened to the man.
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.