Cause of Death Unknown for Man, 83, Found Buried

An autopsy on an 83-year-old man who was sealed in a garbage bag and buried five feet deep in a homemade grave in the back yard of his Lawndale home has not determined a cause of death, authorities said Wednesday.

Two of the four suspects arrested last Friday in connection with Floyd Howell’s death, John Cash, 49, and James Hagen, 45, have been released. The two others, Michelle Black, 27, and Lisa Stegman, 32, are being held on unrelated parole violations. The four had shared a small home with Howell on Rosecrans Avenue.

Sheriff’s deputies found Howell’s body buried in a secret grave behind the garage after receiving a tip from an informant. Homicide Lt. Bill Christiansen said toxicological tests are being conducted by the coroner’s office because the initial autopsy indicated “no obvious signs of foul play.”