Man, 62, Found Dead In OC Church, Police Suspect Foul Play

WESTMINSTER, CA — Police asked the public for helped Wednesday in its investigation into the death of a 62-year-old man who was found dead in a church.

Westminster Police Department officers responded to the Orange Korean Evangelical Church in the 13500 block of Goldenwest Street, near Trask Avenue, in the City of Westminster.

When officers arrived at 3:35 p.m. Friday, they found the body of Stephen Smallwood, police said.

Smallwood was known to frequent the area around the church and post office at 13761 Goldenwest, police said in a statement.

"Some witnesses state he was last seen alive as late as Jan. 4 in that same area," Deputy Chief Cameron Knauerhaze said in a statement. "We are hoping by releasing the victim's photo to the media, witnesses will come forward and assist us in this case."

Anyone with information on the killing was urged to call Detective Jonathan Figueroa with the Westminster Police Department Detective Bureau at 714-548-3783. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.