Multiple Stab Wounds Killed Agoura Boy, 6

A 6-year-old Agoura boy killed Tuesday near his home at an isolated canyon religious commune died of multiple stab wounds, an autopsy showed Thursday.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroner’s office refused to comment further on the death of Miguel Antero, whose body was found in brush less than 200 yards from his Triunfo Canyon Road home late Tuesday, 7 1/2 hours after he was dropped off by a school bus.

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s spokesman said, however, that there were no visible signs of molestation, although additional tissue tests were still to be completed.

As pathologists were conducting the six-hour autopsy, deputies continued to search the Agoura area for clues. Later, Miguel’s father vowed, referring to the assailant: “We’re going to get you.”

Although authorities gave few details of the investigation, deputies were heard asking a transient in the area, who was found to be carrying a four-inch knife, whether he was a devil worshiper.

Four deputies--Agoura Hills’ entire contracted police force--converged at Kanan and Agoura roads, about two miles from the crime scene, after callers informed them that the man was acting suspiciously. The 35-year-old man was questioned by deputies but was not arrested, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

Sgt. William Larsen said deputies also were sent to the school bus drop-off area in the canyon to question children and adults.

About 50 Triunfo Canyon residents met Thursday night to discuss “ways of speedily increasing security” in the milelong canyon, said a statement issued by the Triunfo-Lobo Community Assn., a residents group. A sheriff’s official also attended.

Neighbors said they closed the meeting to reporters because they wanted to privately console members of the Shanti Anantam Vedantic Center religious compound, where Miguel lived.

‘Don’t Think You’re Smug’

After the meeting, the boy’s father, Shankara Antero, a 33-year-old building contractor, said, “To the perpetrator of this crime, I have a personal message: Buddy, we’re going to get you. Don’t think you’re smug right now because we don’t have much to go on. We’re going to get you.”

One of the organizers, Steve Siegel, said that sheriff’s officials promised to increase patrols in the canyon and that the Las Virgenes Unified School District has promised to move the school-bus stop. The 13 children in the commune now will be let off next to the commune’s gate, he said.

Detectives said the body was found by a searcher from the 3-year-old commune five hours after deputies and volunteers launched Tuesday’s manhunt. Authorities were called after the boy’s 11-year-old sister, Enid, became worried when he failed to come home from school.