Suspect in Bludgeoning Murder Is Found Dead

A man suspected in the bludgeon-and-slashing death of his former girlfriend and the brief disappearance of their daughter was found dead, his arm cut at an artery, authorities said Thursday. Richard R. Mowery, 24, of Colton was found dead Wednesday about 4:23 p.m. on the old railroad right-of-way in the 1000 block of Valley Drive in Hermosa Beach, police spokesman Phil Lonzello said.

He had been wanted by Colton police in the slaying last Saturday of his ex-girlfriend, Crystal Robinson, 27, at her mobile home in a park on Reche Canyon Road, police said. Witnesses said Mowery was seen that day taking his and Robinson’s 1-year-old daughter Sarah from the mobile home, Colton police spokeswoman Misty King said. The baby was found alive Tuesday at a Redondo Beach motel, her skull fractured in five places, Hermosa Beach police said.