Palms chiropractor may have been followed before fatal attack

Los Angeles homicide detectives investigating the slaying of a popular Palms chiropractor are looking into whether he may have been followed before the Thursday morning attack.

Robert Rainey, 54, was found by a patient about 8 a.m. in the lobby of his office in a strip mall in the 9200 block of Venice Boulevard.

Authorities said Rainey may have been followed into work earlier that morning. Rainey was an avid long-distance runner, about 6 feet 2 inches tall and physically fit. Police are examining the possibility that the suspect caught him by surprise.

They plan to examine surveillance video that may help with the identification of a suspect.

Rainey, who is the brother of Times media writer James Rainey, suffered apparent blunt-force trauma to the head. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after being transported.

LAPD Lt. John Radtke said there was no obvious motive and that the chiropractor was well-liked by his employees and the community.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Bureau homicide detectives at (213) 382-9470.

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-- Andrew Blankstein