Suspects In Continental Hotel Homicide Caught In Hollywood
David Markland
[Flickr]
Homicide victim Herbert Tracy White was killed inside the Continental Hotel on November 29.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A Pennsylvania couple wanted by police for killing, then dismembering, a good samaritan at a Skid Row area hotel have been caught.
Agents with the U.S. Marshall's Service arrested Edward and Melissa Garcia shortly before 4pm on Friday. They were found staying at an abandoned building just steps away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the 1600 block of La Brea Avenue.
The couple are charged with killing and torturing Herbert Tracy White at the Continental Hotel on November 29. Police allege the couple, in an effort to clean up the crime scene, had dismembered White's body and hidden pieces in a backpack and wrapped in a blanket under a bed. A maid at the hotel discovered the gruesome scene when she entered the room for cleaning.
White has been described as a good samaritan and an experienced martial artist. His family believes he was lured by the couple to the hotel in an effort to help them before being killed.
Friskie Buffet on December 10, 2010, at 09:01PM – #1
some excellent police work happening in L.A. these days...thank you, LAPD for getting these two creatures off the streets!
Guest on December 10, 2010, at 09:39PM – #2
Let's see what Edward Garcia's good looks do for him in prison!
Jasmijn on December 11, 2010, at 09:16AM – #3
Hooray! I was so saddened by the story about Mr. White's death, and admit I'm wishing the worst on his killers. Thanks for the quick work, LAPD.
jojinks on December 12, 2010, at 07:55AM – #4
Can't agree more! Great police work!!! I hope these two get the full extent of the law and not some 10 year cop out because they are drug addicts!!! Keep on this case and let's see what the court gives them! I hope it's life!
Guest on December 12, 2010, at 07:43PM – #5
Fabulous work LAPD. This was a HARD story to read and to follow. Horrible. My heart goes out to the victim and his family (and extended family). I echo Friskie Buffet's sentiments: THANK YOU for getting these MONSTERS in your custody!!
George Cowie on December 12, 2010, at 07:54PM – #6
What a sad story. It's good that the alleged perpetrators have been caught. It seems from all reports that they are likely the guilty ones. I don't wish them any harm, and if they are indeed guilty, it will be good to remove them from society.
Los Angeles SEO on December 12, 2010, at 10:02PM – #7
What the motive was for the murder? Why do people always have to kill the ones that are doing the most good?
Its sad.
Guest on December 28, 2010, at 01:00AM – #8
This "hotel" must be shut down. Another murder happend less than 2 years ago in this same hotel. It is a "shooting gallery" for heroin addicts and crack heads.