Man, 41, Arrested On Suspicion Of Murdering Girlfriend, Her Son
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged in the deaths of his girlfriend and her 11-year-old son whose decomposing bodies were found in a South Los Angeles apartment.
The bodies were discovered around 4 p.m. on May 21, after neighbors reported a foul smell coming from a unit in the 800 block of West 81st Street, police said.
Upon arrival, authorities made forcible entry into the home and found the deceased, identified as 39-year-old Penelipha Carter and her son, Crestsalin Carter.
According to police, Carter's 2004 Pontiac Montana van had also been missing.
On Tuesday, authorities detained Carter's live-in boyfriend, Ishamel Imran Townsend, 41, of Los Angeles, who they described as the prime suspect. A news release issued by Los Angeles police said the victim's missing van was located nearby.
Townsend, who has been charged with two counts of murder, was being held without bail. Authorities believe their deaths might have been the result of a domestic incident.
Anyone with more information about this case is asked to call Detectives John Ferreria or Myra Kellum of LAPD's Criminal Gang/Homicide Division at (213) 485-1383.
