Man Arrested For Murder In Death Originally Reported As Suicide

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the killing in Woodland Hills of an acquaintance whose death was originally reported as a possible suicide, police said today.

Jorge Rodriguez, who was arrested on Tuesday, is suspected of killing 43- year-old Edward Mello, whose body was found on the floor of his hotel room in the 20200 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills about 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 29, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Mello had sustained a single gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Officers were originally dispatched to investigate a possible suicide, according to the LAPD.

Police have not released a motive for the killing, pending further investigation.

Rodriguez was jailed in lieu of $1 million bail, according to sheriff’s online jail records.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Detective Dave Peteque of the LAPD’s Topanga Station at (818) 756-4869. After-hours calls can be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

---City News Service

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