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Freeway death a possible suicide

By Frank Girardot on March 31, 2008 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) |

This from the LADN:

SHERMAN OAKS - A man whose body was found with a gunshot wound to the head Sunday in a car on the Ventura Freeway was despondent over the suicide of his girlfriend and might have killed himself, police said this morning.
Marlon Gordillo Sical, 20, had been arguing with his girlfriend, Virginia Castillo, 19, when he disappeared and she hanged herself, police said.
"He was apparently despondent," said Los Angeles Police Capt. James Miller, adding that police still are calling the case an undetermined death until the results of an autopsy tomorrow.
Miller would not say whether police found a gun at the scene of the accident Sunday but said no suicide note was found.

From newsman to cop

By Frank Girardot on March 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) |

This letter comes from Brent Hopkins, who left the Los Angeles Daily News (with several other editorial employees last week).

Brent will be moving on to a career in law enforcement. Here's (most of) his letter to friends and colleagues:

Hi folks,

As many of you have heard, we've had a hard round of layoffs at the
Daily News today. I took a voluntary buyout and will be moving on,
leaving fond memories and many good friends, both at the paper and in
the community. It's been a pleasure getting to know many of you and
working with you over the years and I hope you'll keep in touch.

If you need to get ahold of the Daily News, try my editor, Aron
Miller, (snip) or the (snip) general city desk at 818-713-3707.

(snip).

I'll be leaving the industry for an entirely new career with the LAPD.
While I'll miss my colleagues and my work here, I'm excited to be
starting something new with an equally dedicated bunch of people.

Thanks a bunch and stay in touch,
Brent

Brent Hopkins
(former) reporter, LA Daily News