Suspects in dismemberment of man in L.A. hotel room 'armed and dangerous'

A Pennsylvania couple wanted in the slaying and dismemberment of a Hollywood man, whose limbs were removed in a downtown hotel, are at large and considered armed and dangerous, Los Angeles police said Wednesday.

Los Angeles Police Department officials are asking for the public’s help tracking down Edward Garcia Jr., 36, and his wife, Melissa Hope Garcia, 25, said LAPD Homicide Det. Richard Arciniega.

A maid at the Continental Hotel told police she found body parts Nov. 29 tucked inside a backpack that was left behind in a room at the East 7th Street hotel, where the couple was staying.

Police, who said they also found body parts wrapped in a blanket under the bed, later identified the victim as Herbert Tracy White, 49.

A hotel security guard reported receiving a complaint about a commotion in the room, probably when Herbert was attacked, police said. But when the guard went to the room, the couple promised they’d keep quiet.

White apparently met the couple in Hollywood, befriended them and gave them money, Arciniega said. “They all went to the hotel together but the room was actually rented by the Garcias,” he said.

Police in York, Pa., said they are investigating a similar case in the couple’s home state. They said the victim in that case was not killed but declined to give further details. Arciniega said the couple have a criminal record in York for robbery and drug-related charges.

Continental Hotel representatives declined to comment.

White, a handyman, lived with his wife and two dogs in Hollywood. He was in his 15th year of sobriety and was inclined to help people he encountered on the street, said his younger brother, David White.

“He would accept you first, then run your résumé later,” he said “He was looking forward to being the sober driver for the holidays, and I believe that’s what cost him his life.”

An older brother, Anthony DeMarco White, also speculated that his brother’s generosity led to his death. “My brother didn’t have to die like this," he said, "he didn’t have to die like this at all.”

White’s wife, Annie Coty White, 73, said the last time she saw her husband was in the middle of the night when he received a phone call from a person asking for a ride.

“I asked who it was and he said, ‘Oh you know those crazy Hollywood types,’ ” she said. “My husband hated drunk drivers.”

She said she believes he left to meet the Garcias that night.

She said police found the car he was driving parked near the Continental but did not recover the keys.

RELATED:

Maid finds body parts scattered around L.A. hotel room, in backpack

-- Nardine Saad

Photos: Homicide suspects Melissa Hope Garcia and Edward Garcia. Jr., who are suspected of killing Herbert Tracy White. Credit: Associated Press / Pennsylvania Police Department

Comments

[Rick]

Somebody send this headline to Jay Leno!

[Karen]

With these suspects still at large and possibly still in L.A., I sure hope they get a photo of them up soon.

[rtots]

Can we please have a photograph of these two suspects??

[The Ghost of Ronni Chassen]

"Armed & dangerous" is more accurate than "legged & dangerous".

[Y.B. Pedantic]

My condolences to Mr. White's family - he seemed like a nice guy who hooked up with the wrong people at the wrong time. It sounds like something James Elroy would have written.

And Rick, brilliant catch on the 'head'- line (sic) call. Keep up the good work!

[loren]

how terrible! I can't imaging helping any strangers these
days.

[u know]

Sounds like Herbert was tricked into this predictament. He was probably lured into a trap by the wife, the husband then came to rob him, and it turned violent.

[Jeff]

Wait... The victim is 49 and his wife is 73?

[Reality Chick]

Photos of these two would be helpful.

[DLH]

Sounds like the victim was a nice guy trying to help and he winds up getting killed by them. This is why you have to be real careful who you befriend in the streets or anywhere.

[sonica]

how about a pic of them so we can be on the look out?

[Montana Gold-]

Photos please, i seen em'. But a story with no photo, is like a blog.

[Mike Stansfield]

once again people just never seem to surprise me anymore. What I do wonder is where do they find these people! You can just tell be there mug shots they are except totally out of there minds. I do not know what kind of human being could do such an awful thing to another human being, all I can say is that that is pure evil and the karma they created will end up bitting them in there but ts!