Venice, CALIF. – (LAPD) – On February 28, 2021, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Officers were made aware that a Venice resident had died after being assaulted in Venice. LAPD Officers completed a death report and an investigation was launched into the victim’s death. The victim was identified as 76-year-old John Decindis.
West Bureau Homicide Detectives’ investigation revealed that on February 8, 2021, John Decindis had told a hospital social worker that he had been assaulted but that he did not want to make a police report. The assault had occurred when Decindis had been walking his dog and he was attacked by a man he had seen previously in the neighborhood. The attack occurred without apparent motive. Decindis was hospitalized with several fractures and when he was released from the hospital, he had to return some time later due to having difficulty recovering from the injuries. On February 27, 2021, Decindis succumbed to his injuries and died at a local hospital.
West Bureau Homicide Detectives’ investigation showed that this incident occurred in the 1500 block of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, after Decindis had been confronted and followed by the suspect from Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Milwood Avenue. Decindis had told others about the assault and had also described the suspect to those same people.
On March 4, 2021, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office determined this case to be a homicide. On March 9, 2021, Pacific Patrol Officers received information and a description of the suspect from West Bureau Homicide Detectives and observed the suspect in the area of Milwood Avenue and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Officers detained the suspect, later identified as 45-year-old Obie Thompson, a person experiencing homelessness. Thompson was subsequently booked for Murder.
On March 11, 2021, West Bureau Homicide Detectives presented this case to the District Attorney’s office and the District Attorney filed the charges of Murder and Elder Abuse. Thompson was held on two million dollars bail and will be arraigned.
