Police say five people are now in custody on suspicion of killing 27-year-old South Gate resident Christopher Cordova, whose body was found floating in the Long Beach harbor last year.

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.

The housing for fire boat Vigilance at Long Beach Fire Station 15 in Long Beach Monday, April 26, 2021. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

Homicide detectives quickly began investigating, and this month, they arrested three people on suspicion of participating in his murder, police said.

On Sept. 1, Long Beach police arrested 29-year-old Lynwood resident Miguel Gallardo and 33-year-old Anaheim resident Yessica Hernandez—Gallardo on suspicion of one count of murder and Hernandez on suspicion of one count of being an accessory to murder. Both were arrested in Los Angeles, police said. Their bails were set at $2 million and $1 million, respectively. And on Sept. 13, police arrested 24-year-old Norwalk resident Tatiana Pinon on suspicion of one count of being an accessory to murder. Pinon’s bail was set at $1 million.

Another two people police believe were involved in the slaying were already in custody on unrelated charges, the Long Beach Police Department said today.

Arcadia resident Christopher Deckard, 37, and Norwalk resident Richard Granados, 38, were each charged with one count of murder, police said. Their bails were both set at $2 million.

Police did not release details on a motive other than to say they believe the slaying was gang-related, which the LBPD defines as “for the benefit of, at the direction of or in association with any criminal street gang.”

The investigation is ongoing and police urged anyone with information to contact Detectives Donald Collier or Leticia Gamboa at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers.