Leeban Adan, 20 [Updated]

Died May 25, 2010 at 7:38 a.m.

Leeban Adan, a 20-year-old black man, was found dead Tuesday, May 25, in the 5500 block of Via Marisol in Montecito Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Adan's charred body was found about 7:30 a.m. by a man who was walking his dogs in Hermon Park, which is about 100 feet from the Pasadena Freeway, police said.

Homicide Det. Victor Marin of the LAPD's Hollenbeck station said Adan had been shot once. Investigators said most of the burns Adan sustained were from the waist up.

It was not clear if Adan lived in the neighborhood or if there was an apparent motive in the case, police said.

"We don't have a lot to go on right now," Marin said.

Capt. David Hanczuk said the incident marked the first time in a long time that there had been a homicide in Hermon Park, which is popular with local dog owners.

[Update June 11: Det. Joe Rios, who is handling the investigation, said Adan had been shot once in the head and his midsection was burned. The victim was identified by the coroner's office through fingerprints, Rios said.

Evidence indicated that Adan had been shot about 6:30 a.m., an hour before he was found, Rios said.

Investigators are looking at phone records to determine what Adan was doing and who he was corresponding with before he died. Adan's father, who lives in South Pasadena, said Adan had come to California from Arizona the day before to do some business, Rios said.

Police are asking anyone with details about Adan’s whereabouts or who heard a gunshot or may have seen an argument, confrontation or other suspicious activity before the killing, which took place sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Tuesday, to contact Det. Rios at (323) 342 -8958 or dial (877) LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.]

— Andrew Blankstein and Sarah Ardalani