NEWBURY PARK : Man Found Dead in Motel After Fight

Authorities are investigating the death of a 35-year-old man whose body was found in an easy chair in his Newbury Park motel room early Monday. The victim had fought with another motel guest the night before, authorities said.

Richard Donald Gutierrez was discovered by his girlfriend about 6 a.m. at the E-Z 8 Motel in the 2400 block of West Hillcrest Drive, Ventura County Sheriff’s Lt. Joel Oksner said.

It appears that Gutierrez, who had been dead a few hours when he was found, was struck on the head, Deputy Coroner Craig Stevens said. The cause of death will not be released until an autopsy is performed this morning, Stevens said.

Sunday evening, Gutierrez and a friend, Jesse Musgraves, 45, began arguing in Gutierrez’s room, Oksner said. The dispute continued in the hallway and became physical, he said.

The fight was broken up, and the two men returned to their rooms, Oksner said. Musgraves also was staying in the motel, he said.

Gutierrez’s girlfriend woke up about 6 a.m. and discovered Gutierrez dead in the chair, Oksner said.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation is continuing, Oksner said.

Gutierrez appeared to be a transient, Stevens said.

The man is survived by his parents, who live in Los Angeles County, Stevens said.