This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
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.
Man Charged With Stabbing CSUN Student During Craigslist Sale Gone Awry
Police say CSUN student Abdullah Alkadi was fatally stabbed by a man he met while trying to sell his car. That man is now in the custody of police and has been charged with Alkadi's murder.Alkadi was a 23-year-old engineering student at CSUN who had been missing for a month, before police found his body near the 10 Freeway in Palm Desert. Now Augustin Rosendo Fernandez, 28, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder with special circumstances of murder committed during a robbery and carjacking, according to a release from the L.A. District Attorney's office.
At a news conference today, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said that Alkadi met Fernandez on Craigslist when he posted an ad to sell his Audi. Fernandez, posting as a prospective buyer, went to meet Alkadi at his home in Northridge on September 17. Beck said that Fernandez wanted to keep both the car and the money—about $30,000—and at some point he killed Alkadi using a knife. Beck also said that the car was involved in the killing in some way, but that he could not reveal additional details yet.
Initially, it was reported that police had cleared the buyer of Alkadi's car; however, today police said that Fernandez had the car when he was arrested and that his statements gave police clues that led them to Alkadi's body, City News Service reports.
On Sunday, police said they had arrested two suspects. Today, they revealed that the second person has not been charged and is not in custody.
Fernandez's charges make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted, and prosecutors will ultimately decide if they intend to seek it or life in prison without the possibility of parole. His arraignment has been pushed to November 17.
On the day Alkadi went missing, he had an ordinary conversation with a cousin around 5 p.m. His roommates returned home at 7 p.m. and became concerned when he was not there. Alkadi's brother traced his cell phone to Beaumont before it was deactivated, about 40 miles east of where Alkadi's body was ultimately found, but said that neither he nor his brother had any ties there.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
