La Palma Man Found Shot Dead in Wilmington
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LA PALMA — The body of 49-year-old local man missing since Sunday was discovered in Wilmington, and authorities say he was shot and may have been robbed.
A body discovered early Monday along the side of the Terminal Island Freeway onramp at Anaheim Street has been identified as Rajendra M. Patel, Los Angeles Police Det. Sal LaBarbera said Thursday.
Patel, a resident of the 7400 block of Darlene Circle, was reported missing Sunday by his family after he did not return home from his Torrance workplace, according to La Palma Police Capt. Vince Giampa.
Patel’s body was found about 5 a.m. Monday with his wallet, identification, jewelry and other personal effects missing, LaBarbera said. It took detectives several days to link the body to the La Palma missing persons report, the South Bureau homicide detective said.
Patel’s car, a white 1993 Toyota Camry, was discovered Wednesday in Long Beach, LaBarbera said.
“He was shot to death and dumped, basically,” LaBarbera said. “We’re looking at it as a potential robbery motive.”
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