Man Arrested for Murder of Missing Person 

November 24, 2023 - North Hills, CA - Los Angeles Police Department officials report that the Department’s Valley Bureau Homicide detectives are announcing the arrest of the suspect responsible for the murder of Carlos DeLeon.

In June 2023, the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit began an investigation into the disappearance of 35-year-old Carlos DeLeon, from Guatemala. Family and friends reported that they had not seen or heard from DeLeon since mid-June.

In November 2023, Los Angeles Police Department Operations Valley Bureau Homicide unit became involved in the investigation. Information was received that DeLeon was deceased and buried in a rear yard of a residence in the 16200 block of Community Court, in the city of North Hills. A search warrant was obtained to recover the remains and served on the morning of November 21, 2023.

A collaborative search of the main residence and additional structures on the property were conducted by homicide detectives, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, Los Angeles City Fire Urban Search and Rescue, Department of Sanitation, and Los Angeles Police Department Forensic Services.

A structure located at the rear of the property was removed from its position. The concrete foundation under the structure was also removed. A careful excavation commenced, and the remains of DeLeon were located.

Investigators arrested 48-year-old Russell Robinson, a resident at the location, for the murder of Carlos DeLeon. Robinson was booked at the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Jail section for 187(a) PC- Murder, with no bail (Booking No. 6714329).

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Valley Bureau Homicide Detective Moselle at (818) 374-9550. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

Source: Los Angeles Police Department