By Ricardo Roura
A 5-year-old boy found dead in a garbage container last year suffered extreme violence before dying from blunt force traumarevealed a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On July 12, 2025, the body of the victim, identified as Elyjah Anthony Hearn, 5 years oldwas found naked and partially wrapped in a wool blanket inside a dumpster in the 8200 block of Van Nuys Boulevard, in Panorama Metropolis.
Detectives of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) They went to the scene at approximately 7:00 am after receiving the report about the discovery of the body.
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Three days later, LAPD officers They detained a woman and two men for questioning in connection with Elyjah’s deathand the next day two other people were also arrested.
The LAPD reported that Malik Brycson Gaddis, 20,is considered the most prominent suspect in committing the homicide of the child, which was allegedly committed on July 11.
Gaddis, who was romantically involved with Elyjah’s mother, was suspected of committed the murder inside an apartment in the 14500 block of Lanark Facet streetlocated approximately half a mile from where the child’s body was discovered.
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On July 18, 2025, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Gaddis with murder and assault on a minor resulting in death. Since then he remains in custody on $2 million bail.
The autopsy found serious injuries suffered by the child.or, with fractures, bruises and abrasions on the head, torso and arms, as well as cuts on the lips and forehead.
Elyjah’s autopsy report mentions that the body had bruises in different stages of healing, a finding that could indicate that he had suffered physical abuse prior to his death.
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“This is a truly heartbreaking and dreary caseand we express our deepest condolences to the family of the young victim,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated last year when announcing the charges.
“We are committed to seeking justice and we will ensure that this defendant is held accountable for his actions“added the prosecutor.
If Gaddis is found guilty of all charges against him, faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
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