Suspect Charged In Suspicious Death Of Santa Monica Elderly Man

SANTA MONICA, CA – Santa Monica Police Department Detectives filed charges Friday on a suspect believed to be involved in the murder of John Hautz; the suspect is identified as Roy Antonio Davis, 26, of Los Angeles. On Jan. 1 at about 1:04 p.m., SMPD officers responded to a radio call for service in the 2300 block of 34th Street regarding an elderly male who appeared to be unconscious inside of his Santa Monica home. Officers entered the home and discovered Hautz, 88, deceased.

SMPD Detectives were notified and conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene. A preliminary investigation revealed possible suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of John Hautz, the SMPD press release said. The death was classified as a homicide after a medical examination by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

Following extensive and thorough investigative efforts by SMPD Detectives, including forensic processing, detectives have been able to link Davis to the death of John Hautz, the press release said. Davis was in police custody at the Los Angeles County Jail for an unrelated robbery at the time murder charges were presented against him.

Davis has been charged with murder and burglary. Davis remains in custody with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office with no bail options pending court proceedings. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Leone (310) 458-8949; Detective Elias (310) 458-8943; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.

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Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Police Department