The body of a 92-year-old real estate developer was discovered in his Hermosa Beach home, potentially having decomposed for several days, according to authorities. The discovery came after a peculiar standoff with a suspect who had been inside the residence for hours.
Demetrius Doukoullos, a longtime property owner in the peaceful coastal area, had not been seen for several days, prompting a welfare check request at his home.
Neighbors had expressed concern after detecting a foul odor emanating from the property.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a 39-year-old suspect inside the house, who refused to leave and claimed to be armed.
The suspect, identified as Robert Simmons, who also uses the name Eleanor Beaulieu and is described as a transgender woman, barricaded themselves in a bedroom. This led to a tense, hours-long standoff with police and SWAT teams.
After approximately seven hours, negotiators managed to persuade the suspect to surrender without any further incident.
Once authorities entered the house, they made a grim discovery.
Doukoullos was found deceased inside the home, with signs of trauma observed by investigators.
Authorities suspect he may have been dead for several days before the police’s arrival. Simmons was taken into custody and later charged with murder.
Bail has been set in the millions as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing. Authorities have not determined if the suspect and victim knew each other, and a motive remains unidentified.
The timeline suggests the suspect stayed in the house in the days leading up to the discovery, but investigators have not disclosed full details about that period.
Adding to the peculiar situation, the suspect was reportedly dressed in a dark suit, hat, and sunglasses reminiscent of ‘The Blues Brothers’ during the standoff.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to gather evidence from the scene.
