A sixth suspect has been taken into custody in connection to the killing of 27-year-old South Gate resident Christopher Cordova, whose body was found floating in the Long Beach harbor last year.
Adrian Chavez, 42, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murder in Norwalk, where he lives, after detectives gathered sufficient evidence linking him to the crime, according to authorities who believe there may still be additional suspects involved.
Cordova’s body was found offshore near the 1100 block of Pier F Avenue at around 10 a.m. on April 26, 2021. Police said his body was already decomposing when it was found on the water’s edge near Fire Station 15, but authorities determined he’d been shot.
Since the discovery of Chavez’s body, five other people have been arrested on suspicion of participating in his slaying: Lynwood resident Miguel Gallardo, 29, Anaheim resident Yessica Hernandez, 33, Norwalk resident Tatiana Pinon, 24, Arcadia resident Christopher Deckard, 37, and Norwalk resident Richard Granados, 38.
Police did not release details on a motive other than to say they believe the slaying was gang-related, which the Long Beach Police Department defines as “for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with any criminal street gang.”
On Tuesday, homicide detectives presented the case against Chavez to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, which subsequently filed one count of murder against him. Chavez remains jailed in lieu of $3 million bail.
The investigation is ongoing, and police are asking the public for help in gathering more information. Anyone with information is urged anyone with information to contact Det. Donald Collier or Det. Leticia Gamboa at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers.
5 in custody on suspicion of killing man found decomposing in Long Beach harbor, police say