2nd Body Found at Boardinghouse Is Identified

A second body among the seven found buried outside Dorothy Montalvo Puente’s boarding home has been identified, a spokesman for the Sacramento County coroner’s office said Thursday.

The spokesman, who asked not to be named, said the body is Alvaro (Bert) Montoya, whose death accounts for the single murder charge that has been filed against Puente, 59. He said the identification was based on fingerprints.

The other person identified so far is Benjamin Fink, 55, described by his family as a chronic alcoholic and transient who moved into Puente’s home earlier this year.

Police believe that the seven were killed for their Social Security checks.

Autopsies have been completed on the victims, but causes of death have not been determined.

Court documents indicate that one police search of Puente’s home turned up 14 bottles of pills and various unknown substances. Among items seized was a book titled “150 Commonly Prescribed Drugs,” an 8-inch kitchen knife, a quilt with possible blood stains, a coffee can with “lye” imprinted on the lid and a book called “The Smell of Evil.”

Social workers and neighbors who reported people missing led police to Puente’s downtown boardinghouse.

Puente was interviewed by police after the first body was discovered, but was allowed to walk away by authorities, who said they had insufficient grounds to hold her. She fled the area, and was captured five days later at a downtown Los Angeles hotel.