Man's burned body found in wheelchair in South L.A.

Los Angeles homicide and arson detectives are investigating the death of a man whose partially burned body was found in a wheelchair outside a store in South Los Angeles early this morning, authorities said.

Fire officials responded to reports of “a person allegedly on fire,” at 2:45 a.m. in the 1800 block of West Manchester Avenue, said Devin Gales, a service officer with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Officer Bruce Borihanh, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said investigators were still at the scene and no further details were available about the victim or the circumstances of his death.

Police officials told television reporters at the scene that the body had been badly burned, and a candle and some alcohol had reportedly been found nearby. The victim also was reportedly wearing a hospital identification wristband, according to reporters at the scene.

-- Ann M. Simmons

The 1800 block of West Manchester Avenue is located in Gramercy Park. Learn more about the demographics and schools in this community at Mapping L.A.'s neighborhoods.

Comments

[SeanBoy]

Is this another case of spontaneous human combustion? Just like the one happened to a person in his apartment couple weeks ago? Guess what the fire dept. will say this time.

[dethskwirl]

yup ... candle and alcohol found nearby? definitely spontaneous combustion. thats some good work there, seanboy.

[Diddy]

Lets see if this turns into an immigration issue...It always does.

[Peter]

I hope the paper does a follow up on this, as only a couple months ago a homeless man was burned alive in K-Town - it would be responsible of the LA Times to keep their eyes open for connections...if any.