Transient Arrested In Murder Of Costa Mesa Handyman

COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — An arrest has been made in the bludgeoning death of a handyman and husband, whose family is devastated by his death.

Police say 54-year-old handyman John Kubat was beaten to death with a blunt object Monday morning when he showed up to finish renovations on a vacant sober living facility in the 500 block of Hamilton Street.

"It was a senseless murder, and a brutal murder," said James Kubat, the victim's brother.

Christopher Leovy, a 34-year-old transient from Los Angeles, was arrested on suspicion of murder at a nearby park Wednesday night. He was reportedly released from prison three days before allegedly committing the murder.

James Kubat believes the suspect was squatting in the vacant property when his brother John surprised him Monday morning. According to Kubat, the suspect tried to cover his brother's body with dirt and boxes, and sprayed the area with a fire extinguisher to cover up the crime scene.

"He was such a good man that I can't understand why God does this," said the victim's mother, Melba. She said her son once struggled with addiction and was eager to renovate the sober living facility to help others as he had been helped.

She cherishes a cross necklace her son bought as a present but never got the chance to give her himself.

"Well he bought it for me about a week ago and was going to give it to me, and he didn't make it," she said.

James Kubat said he finds comfort in knowing his brother recently became a Christian, and that his daughters believe their uncle is in heaven.