Glendale Man Is Sought

A Glendale man who has not been seen for a week is being described as “a person of interest” in the disappearance and slaying of his girlfriend, a Glendale police spokesman said Monday.

The body of Odet Traturyan, 24, was found Friday night in the trunk of a black 2005 Audi belonging to her boyfriend, Artur Khanzadyan, said Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz. The car was parked on a street in Azusa.

Traturyan and Khanzadyan were last seen by their respective families Sept. 6. At a news conference at Glendale police headquarters Monday, Khanzadyan’s tearful father, Ashot, pleaded with his son to contact his family and police.

Investigators said Khanzadyan, who does not have a criminal record, is known to have frequented gambling casinos, including Morongo Casino Resort & Spa near Palm Springs, but were unsure whether that played a role in his disappearance.

Lorenz said investigators fear that Khanzadyan also might have met with foul play but are not ruling out his possible involvement in his girlfriend’s death.

“It’s truly one of those whodunits where maybe somebody saw something, that one little piece than can put this [investigation] together,” Lorenz said. “Our main concern at this time is for his safety and well-being because he’s been missing for the same period of time as his girlfriend.”

Authorities are looking for Traturyan’s silver Honda Accord, with the California license plate 4VAM520.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the vehicle or Khanzadyan is urged to call the Glendale police robbery-homicide detail at (818) 548-3987.