Body Found at House Identified as Transient’s
A body discovered with its feet protruding out of the ground behind an abandoned house in Palmdale was identified Thursday as that of a 41-year-old transient.
Fingerprints were used to identify Geraldo Valles Chavez, said sheriff’s investigator Louie Danoff. The victim was last seen by his sister in Palmdale on July 20, but he was not reported missing because he often disappeared for long periods, sheriff’s investigators said.
Being held on one charge of murder is Henry Juarez Guzman, 40, who was arrested Monday and reportedly confessed to the killing. A further allegation accuses Guzman, also a transient, of using a pipe in the slaying. Detectives believe the victim was beaten to death three or four weeks ago.
Arraignment is scheduled Aug. 20 in Antelope Valley Municipal Court, said district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.
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