Transient Held in Stabbing Death
Phoenix police have arrested a 24-year-old transient in connection with the stabbing slaying of a man whose body was found along a road in Agoura earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Wednesday.
Craig Cox was arrested Sunday on suspicion of murdering Russell Chamberlain, 66, of Arroyo Grande in San Luis Obispo County. Chamberlain, a retired Nevada Health Department employee, disappeared July 22 after telling his wife that he was going to Santa Maria to have the couple’s motor home repaired.
A passing motorist found the body Aug. 4 a few feet from Agoura Road. The abandoned motor home was found Aug. 6 in Gorman.
Police said that Chamberlain apparently picked up a hitchhiker who stabbed him repeatedly, dumped his body and fled with his money and credit cards.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Mercer said Cox was linked to the killing through a series of telephone calls he made using the victim’s telephone credit card. Detectives learned Cox’s identity by contacting persons listed on the Chamberlain telephone bill, Mercer said.
Cox surrendered without resistance in a Phoenix telephone booth as he waited for a call arranged by detectives, Mercer said.
Cox had been sought by Phoenix police on an unrelated arrest warrant charging him with burglary and attempted rape, according to Arroyo Grande Police Detective Joh Ferdolage.
Los Angeles County authorities will seek to have Cox extradited to face murder charges, Mercer said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
