Buried Man’s Death Blamed on Quarrel With Male Lover

A body found buried behind a Van Nuys house on Christmas Eve was that of a former resident who was hacked to death with an ax in a homosexual quarrel in August, authorities said Wednesday.

The body was identified as that of David Parris, 51, at the arraignment of Parris’ former roommate, Kevin Lee Simmons, 23, on a murder charge.

Simmons, who pleaded innocent, told police that he attacked Parris for “being too possessive,” Los Angeles Police Detective Pat Anguiano said.

Simmons, who is unemployed, and Parris, a printer, had lived together about a year, Deputy Dist. Atty. Christine A. Thurman said.

Jack Green, 31, a carpenter who moved into the house in the 7300 block of Katherine Avenue, found Parris’ body buried in a shallow grave beneath a pile of wooden pallets, police said. Detectives arrested Simmons on Monday at the home of an acquaintance in Lake View Terrace.

Van Nuys Municipal Court Commissioner Patricia G. Schwartz ordered Simmons to appear Jan. 11 for a preliminary hearing and set bail at $750,000. Simmons was being held in County Jail.

Deputy Public Defender James L. Racusin, representing Simmons, declined to comment.

Simmons is also facing a felony auto-theft charge in Santa Monica, where a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for a court hearing, Thurman said.