The discovery of a missing Pasadena police lieutenants decomposed body is one of those head scratchers that come along every now and again on the police beat.
David Henry Richter, 55, of Arcadia was reported missing just after Christmas by his father, a Palm Springs doctor. Right after that, investigators found Richters 2007 Lexus abandoned on Rivergrade Road in Irwindale.
From there, bloodhounds led police to a chalky, deep pond at the bottom of a nearby gravel pit. Divers searched the pit and the Coast Guard brought in sonar equipment, all in hopes of finding Richters body.
He wasnt found, and the case remained unsolved until late last week.
On Thursday a Caltrans worker picking up trash underneath an overpass where the 605 crosses Rivergrade Road discovered Richters body. By then it was so badly decomposed that determining how he died apparently isnt a slam dunk.
We have learned that he was clothed. There was no note at the scene and he had a weapon with him, according to Ed Winter, assistant chief of the coroners department.
Its a probable suicide, but weve deferred the ruling pending additional stuff, Winter said.
Among the additional stuff is likely an interview with Richters friends, particularly girlfriend Noah Beltran, a one-time assistant to interim Pasadena police Chief Chris Vicino.
Following Richters disappearance, Beltran was placed on paid administrative leave by the department for allegedly giving false information to Arcadia police investigators searching for her boyfriend.
No one will say what that false information was, or how long Beltran will remain on leave.
It has been reported that a second car belonging to Richter, originally thought missing, turned up in the garage of an acquaintance, Arcadia police told us in January. They did not identify the acquaintance.
As for Richter, he was born in Pasadena, grew up here, graduated from John Muir High School and pretty much went to work for the Pasadena PD right after that, according to his father, Dr. Henry Richter of Palm Springs. Investigators notified Dr. Henry Richter that his sons body had been found, but there was no surprise.
We didnt expect a different outcome, Henry said. We emotionally said goodbye when his car was found in January and bloodhounds tracked him to the gravel pit. It was pretty clear to us then that he was gone.
Henry does defend Beltran, whom he described as delightful, but fragile.
I dont know all the details, he said. What happened to her happened early on. I thought it was unfair.
Richter will be laid to rest in a small, private ceremony, according to his dad.
Thats what he wanted, Henry said. Beyond that were trying to sort things out. Its not easy when a person doesnt leave a note, a will or any trace.