The streets of Long Beach became the backdrop for a grisly scene after the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner declared the death of 59-year-old Anthony Mercy a homicide on December 2nd, according to an update by Long Beach Police Department. Mercy's body was found needing medical attention on November 29 in the 1900 block of Long Beach Boulevard.
Initially, when authorities arrived at the scene following a call at approximately 3:18 p.m., Mercy was already deceased, exhibiting injuries that suggested a violent end. The circumstances of his untimely demise were initially unclear, and detectives have been tirelessly piecing together the puzzle ever since. A possible dispute at 14th Street Park and Seaside Park the day before is where threads of the investigation are entwined, as detectives believe Mercy may have been involved in some altercation there.
This unfolding investigation has the Long Beach homicide detectives turning to the community, seeking witnesses or anyone involved in a dispute with Mercy on November 28th. Homicide Detectives Donald Collier and Chasen Contreras are the points of contact for anyone ready to come forward with information, as stated in the press release. The Long Beach Police has made avenues for anonymous tip submission accessible through "LA Crime Stoppers" and a dedicated smartphone app for concerned citizens to maintain their privacy.
The call for public assistance is urgent, and any timing in this matter is a desperate grasp at justice for the family of Anthony Mercy and the fabric of the community stained by the brutality of his death. Anyone with details that might lead to a break in the case is urged to not hesitate but to immediately contact detectives at (562) 570-7244 or through the various anonymous channels provided. The police affirm that every fragment of evidence, every morsel of testimony, could potentially contribute to the edifice of truth they are striving to construct around the demise of Mercy.
