Sheriff Robert Luna of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) stated Monday at a press conference that charges would be filed against 65-year-old Carlos Medina, the Hispanic husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper.
Luna stated that it is still unknown whether the housekeeper is employed directly by O’Connell or by the archbishop. In addition, Medina had “previously worked in the bishop’s residence,” he said.
CNA questioned the archdiocese if Medina or his wife had been employed by the archdiocese previous to publication but did not receive an instant response.
At the time of the news conference, Luna stated he had no knowledge on a motive.
O’Connell’s body was discovered near Hacienda Heights, which is approximately a 45-minute drive southwest from the city of Torrance, where a person of interest was reportedly located. According to Luna, police were tipped off about the Torrance suspect on Sunday evening.
Sunday evening, detectives identified Medina as the person of interest after a tipper reported that Medina exhibited “strange” and “irrational” conduct and “made statements about the bishop owing him money.”
Sheriff stated that police had also obtained video evidence of a “dark-colored, small SUV” that had pulled into the bishop’s driveway, stayed briefly, and then left.
Luna stated that Medina drove a similar type of vehicle.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. local time on Monday, sheriff’s deputies arrived at Medina’s residence after receiving information that he had arrived.
Sheriff’s deputies knocked on Medina’s door with an arrest warrant in hand, but he refused to leave his apartment.
Personnel from the Special Enforcement Bureau of the sheriff’s department came on the scene with an amended warrant to search Medina’s residence and arrest him. At approximately 8:15 a.m. local time, Medina surrendered to authorities “without additional incident,” Luna said.
Luna stated that neither Medina nor his wife worked at the bishop’s residence on the day of the murder.
According to the sheriff, Medina’s wife is currently being interviewed by authorities and has been completely helpful.
Luna stated that when deputies and paramedics arrived at O’Connell’s apartment in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue in Hacienda Heights on February 18, they discovered him in his bedroom with “at least” one gunshot wound to his upper body.
Luna stated that there was no evidence of a “forced entrance” or “burglary” and that no firearms were recovered from the location.
During Medina’s arrest at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, the sheriff discovered two weapons and “other evidence” that may incriminate him at his apartment in Torrance.
These weapons will be examined and tested at a crime laboratory to establish whether they were used in the murder.
After discovering that O’Connell had been shot, Luna stated that he believed a deacon had phoned the police. When the bishop did not appear for an arranged meeting, he went to check on him.
Numerous local leaders and politicians spoke at the press conference, including Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, who broke down in tears and struggled to finish his remarks on Bishop O’Connell.
Gomez stated, “Because of his love for God, he served our city for more than four decades.”
“Every day he labored to demonstrate compassion for the impoverished, the homeless, the immigrant, and all those living on the outskirts of society. “He was a fine priest, a good bishop, and a man of peace, and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” said Gomez.
»Bishop David O’Connell’s murder suspect is the spouse of the housekeeper.«