Photo by John Schreiber.
Police said Wednesday the death of an 88-year-old man whose body was found in his home in Santa Monica on New Year’s Day has been ruled a homicide, and they asked anyone with information about the case or the victim’s next-of-kin to contact them.
John Hautz was found dead about 1 p.m. on Jan. 1 when officers responded to a call of a man who appeared to be unconscious inside his home in the 2300 block of 34th Street, according to Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.
Officers who made entry into the home found suspicious circumstances, Rodriguez said, without elaborating.
“Following a medical examination by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, the death has been classified as a homicide,” Rodriguez said. “The investigation is ongoing.”
Anyone with information about the case or Hautz’s next-of-kin, who may have been in contact with him, was urged to call police at (310) 458-8449.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.
–City News Service
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