Lindon Barrett, 46

Died July 13, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.

Lindon Barrett, a 46-year-old black man, was found dead in his apartment in the 100 block of West 5th Street in Long Beach about 9 a.m. Sunday, July 13.

According to Long Beach police, Barrett was found dead in his apartment when officers were responding to call about a foul odor coming from an apartment unit. Police said Barrett had been dead for several weeks.  Homicide detectives were called because Barrett's death appeared suspicious. During the investigation, detectives discovered his car was missing. The vehicle was later found at Paramount Boulevard and South Street, police said. The Career Criminal Apprehension Team, a unit that specializes in sting operations, was called in to assist. A man, later identified as Marlon Martinez, 20, was arrested upon returning to the vehicle. Martinez was booked on suspicion of murder, police said.  Police said Barrett and Martinez were acquaintances.

Barrett was an English professor at UC Riverside, specializing in African American studies. He had earned his doctorate in English at the University of Pennsylvania and specialized in 19th century and early 20th century African American literature and culture. Barret was working on a book on slavery's central role in the evolution of Western modernity, according to a statement from Katherine Kinney, chairwoman of UC Riversides' English department.