2 Found Dead in Anaheim in Unrelated Killings

Two men were found dead in neighborhoods about half a mile apart in what police said Thursday were unrelated homicides.

The first body was found in the trunk of a car shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of West Crescent Avenue. The victim, who had suffered a gunshot wound to his head, was identified as Joseph Andrew Kondrath, 23, said Sgt. Chet Barry.

Barry said officers found Kondrath about the same time his family was reporting him missing.

Kondrath was last seen leaving for work at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Barry said investigators estimate that he was killed soon thereafter.

Kondrath’s wallet was missing, and detectives believe robbery was the motive for the killing, Barry said. The area where his body was found is about three-quarters of a mile south of his home, Barry said.

The second body was found about noon Thursday in an alley behind an apartment complex at 1811 W. Gramercy Ave. after a passerby called police, Barry said.

Barry said investigators were unable to identify the victim, who appeared to have suffered wounds to his head. He was dressed in jeans and a shirt and appeared to be about 25 years old.

Investigators said the second victim had probably been in the alley three or four hours, but did not know how he died or the motive for the killing. An autopsy was scheduled for today.

Times staff writer Thuan Le contributed to this report.