A transgender woman, dressed like a character from the Blues Brothers, is accused of murdering a millionaire developer in his Los Angeles residence, followed by a lengthy standoff with a SWAT team, according to authorities.
Eleanor Beaulieu, 39, faces charges in connection with the death of Demetrius Doukoullos and is currently detained at the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail, as per inmate records.
Police were called to Doukoullos’ Hermosa Beach home around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday for a welfare check, as his realtor had not had contact with him for approximately a week.
“It started as a routine welfare check and soon escalated to a suspected homicide,” stated Sgt. Keagan Dadigan, Hermosa Beach Police Public Information Officer, on Monday.
Neighbors noticed a foul smell and reported seeing a suspicious individual, according to Easy Reader News.
Patty Snyder, a resident of Hermosa Beach, told NBC4 that the realtor was concerned about Doukoullos.
“She was checking on him, and the house had a terrible smell, prompting her to call the police.”
Upon arrival, Beaulieu informed officers that he was armed, leading to a tense seven-hour standoff, Dadigan said.
“The individual claimed to be armed and dangerous and then barricaded themselves inside,” authorities reported, as mentioned by KTLA5.
“Given the situation, SWAT teams from Hermosa Beach PD and nearby agencies responded to the scene.”
Eventually, an officer warned Beaulieu over a bullhorn about forcing entry.
“Eleanor, come out with your hands up. This has been going on long enough,” the officer repeatedly shouted, the Daily Mail reported.
Law enforcement sources informed NBC4 that Doukoullos’ body was partially decomposed with evidence of trauma.
Images captured Beaulieu surrendering to authorities after prolonged negotiations, donning an unusual ensemble of a fedora, suit, sunglasses, and black tie.
Police approached him cautiously, handcuffed him, and escorted him to one of the numerous police vehicles on the scene.
SWAT teams from Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and Hermosa Beach provided assistance, Dadigan said.
Doukoullos had been leasing the lower level of the Hermosa triplex for about a year, following the sale of his longtime Hermosa Strand residence. Realtor Neil Chhabria, who oversees the property, revealed this to Easy Reader News. Doukoullos had been living alone since his wife passed away in 2012.
Beaulieu faces charges of homicide, with bail set at $2 million.
The nature of the relationship between Beaulieu and Doukoullos remains uncertain, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau is set to take over the investigation.
The exact cause of Doukoullos’ death has not been determined.
