Man killed inside his apartment in Valley Village in apparent random attack

Murder suspect arrested in Valley Village

Police have arrested the suspect accused of murdering Manny Hidra in his apartment at the Sherman Village Apartments in Valley Village.

LOS ANGELES - Police are asking for the public's help locating a homicide suspect in Valley Village.

What we know:

On April 26 around 2:30 p.m., Van Nuys division patrol officers responded to a welfare check in the 12600 block of Riverside Drive, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

At the scene, they discovered a man dead inside the apartment.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. 

He was identified Wednesday by the Los Angeles County medical examiner's office as Menashe Hidra, known to neighbors as "Manny."

Man murdered inside his own apartment

Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with the homicide of Menashe Hidra in Van Nuys on April 26.

Police stated that the suspect had unlawfully entered the victim’s apartment, prompting a physical dispute which resulted in the victim’s death.

Manhunt underway for murder suspect

Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with the homicide of Menashe Hidra in Van Nuys on April 26.

Detectives believe the murder likely occurred days before Hidra's body was discovered. Authorities also said the victim and suspect had no known connection, leading investigators to believe the killing was random.

Neighbors told police they had seen the suspect in the complex several times trying to open doors. LAPD now believes the man gained access by breaking through a rooftop skylight and entering an empty unit. From there, he is believed to have jumped a balcony into Hidra’s apartment, where he killed him. Smeared blood was reportedly seen on the outside wall between the units.

Behind the complex is the L.A. River, where neighbors say nearby homeless encampments have contributed to ongoing issues with transients breaking in. Several residents reported complaining to both management and police for months about individuals living on the building’s roof.

One neighbor told FOX 11 they called the police a week prior to the incident to report people on the roof.

What we don't know:

While detectives have identified a possible suspect, further details about the suspect’s identity, motive, or whereabouts remain unknown.

Police do not believe the killing was the result of a robbery or burglary.

Photos courtesy LAPD

What's next:

The LAPD's Operation Valley Bureau Homicide Detectives have released photos of the suspect to aid in locating him.

He is described as a 5-foot-6-inch tall man between 30 and 40 years old, weighing between 180 and 200 pounds, with black hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark-colored jacket, a white shirt, and blue jeans.

They are urging anyone with information to contact Operation Valley Bureau at (818) 374-9550 or use the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers for anonymous tips.