Death of Man, 80, Ruled a Homicide; Anaheim Police Seeking Information

An autopsy on Sunday showed that an 80-year-old man found dead behind a local shopping center this weekend was a homicide victim, police said.

Police also asked for the public’s assistance in finding clues in the slaying of John Iorio, whose body was found Saturday night in the asphalt lot behind Linbrook Plaza, at 2116 W. Lincoln Ave.

“We need anything anyone can tell us,” Det. Mike Hidalgo said. “If anyone saw him with someone or heard anything out on the streets.”

Residents who live behind the shopping center called police about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday after hearing someone “moaning, calling for help,” Hidalgo said. Patrol officers arrived to find Iorio’s body near his car, which was backed up against a cinder block wall in the lot.

Police did not disclose the cause of death or any suspected motive.

Hidalgo said Iorio lived out of his car, a white, four-door 1978 Dodge Aspen with a brown vinyl roof, and frequented the neighborhood around the shopping center.

Family members in Garden Grove told investigators that Iorio had a place to stay, but preferred his nomadic lifestyle, Hidalgo said.

The balding senior citizen and his cluttered white car had been familiar sights on local streets, and police hope someone will step forward with information about Iorio’s recent activities.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call investigators at (714) 254-1948.