A 61-year-old man died in a hospital Sunday after he was critically injured in Long Beach. Homicide detectives continued to investigate the death on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Long Beach Police Department officers were called at about 4:45 a.m. on Aug. 15 to the area of Stearns Street and Carfax Avenue to assist the Long Beach Fire Department with a person—later identified as James McManus of Long Beach—who was found in the road suffering from an unspecified injury to his upper body, according to a department statement.
At the time of the call, authorities “believed a potential medical emergency had occurred” and McManus was taken to a hospital. His wife called police at about 7:15 p.m. the same day and said she believed her husband may have been assaulted.
LBPD units investigated the incident following the report and learned McManus was last seen walking alone from Avenue 3 Pizza, located at 2226 Palo Verde Ave., at approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, according to police.
McManus sustained the injury to his upper body “at some point between 10 p.m. and 4:46 a.m.,” police said, though it is not currently known how he was injured.
The LBPD was notified on Sunday, Aug. 22 that McManus had died from his injuries at the hospital. Due to the circumstances leading to his death, the LBPD Homicide Detail is now investigating the matter.
Concerned residents Kathy and Maryann Majick discussed McManus’ death during public comment at Tuesday’s Long Beach City Council meeting and asked council members to do something about safety issues and crime in the city.
Kathy voiced frustration over not having answers as to what happened to McManus.
ean up the city, we’re sick of it,” Kathy said. “The residents deserve better, this family deserves better.”
She presented the council with a before and after photo of McManus before leaving his home for Avenue 3 Pizza and how he was found on the street, his clothes, wallet and watch missing.
According to LBPD, all of McManus’ property has been located except for the watch.
LBPD is asking those who live in the area to review their cameras from between Aug. 14, 2021 at 10 p.m. and Aug. 15, 2021 at 4:46 a.m. for any footage that may have captured what happened that night.
Anyone with information related to the death was asked to contact LBPD Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Jose Rodriguez at 562-570-7244. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
