People are searching for Carlos Medina Wife, as the suspected killer’s wife was O’Connell’s housekeeper.
Authorities said the suspect in the death of Catholic Bishop David O’Connell claimed the cleric owed him money and acted “irrationally” around the time of the tragic murder.
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At a news conference on Monday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna claimed that 65-year-old handyman Carlos Medina shot and murdered the bishop inside his Hacienda Heights House on Saturday.
Where Is Carlos Medina Wife? Bishop David O’Connell Murder Case
Authorities detained Medina after he refused to leave his Torrance home earlier Monday, according to Luna. According to a tip, Medina fled Los Angeles County following the death.
Still, early Monday morning, a community member phoned the sheriff’s office at about 2 am to inform them that Medina had returned to the residence, leading to his arrest.
According to Luna, the suspected killer’s wife was O’Connell’s housekeeper, and Medina occasionally cleaned for the dead bishop.
“The informant informed detectives that they were concerned because Medina was acting strangely, irrationally, and making statements about the bishop owing him money,” Luna added.
Nevertheless, Luna noted that it is unclear whether the homicide was motivated by a specific monetary dispute and is only a report that investigators have received.
“I am not certain of any disagreement,” Luna stated. “That’s something that came up from one of the witnesses, but as all of you know, our investigation continues, which involves questioning other witnesses.
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Bishop David O’Connell Murder Case Update: Arrest And Charges
Luna also stated that a car seen in O’Connell’s driveway on security footage on the same day of the murder resembles the SUV Medina had previously driven to O’Connell’s.
Luna stated that there appeared to be no traces of forced entry at the residence.
According to Luna, two weapons and other evidence possibly tying him to the heinous act were seized upon Medina’s arrest. He stated that the firearms would be analyzed to discover if one was a murder weapon.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how many calls I’ve received in the last 48 hours from individuals who worked with him in various capacities. This bishop made a significant difference in our community,” Luna said. “He was well-liked.”
According to Luna, O’Connell’s body was discovered when a deacon went to the victim’s residence to check on him since he was late for a meeting. Investigators came after the deacon dialed 911.
The suspect’s wife was not at work on the day of the murder, and authorities say she has been cooperative, according to Luna.
Who Was Bishop David O’Connell?
According to Angelus News, the official arm of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, O’Connell had been a priest for 45 years and was a native of Ireland. Pope Francis selected him as one of the archdiocese’s auxiliary bishops in 2015.
According to Angelus News, O’Connell worked in South Los Angeles for years, focusing on gang intervention.
He later attempted to mediate calm between people and law enforcement after a jury acquitted four white Los Angeles Police officers for beating Rodney King, a Black man, in 1992.
O’Connell rallied the San Gabriel Valley community over two decades later to reconstruct a mission that had been damaged in an arson assault.
He has also led Catholic initiatives in the region to assist Central American immigrant children and families in recent years.
According to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, O’Connell spoke excellent Spanish with an Irish accent and showed “compassion to the poor, the homeless, the immigrant, and all those living on society’s outskirts” daily.
“He was a fine priest, a good bishop, and a man of peace, and we’re extremely sorry to lose him,” Gomez said, his voice shaking.
