Features

Arrest made in killing of boy who lived as girl

The Associated Press
Friday October 18, 2002

 

NEWARK — Police have arrested four men after finding a body they believe is that of a missing 17-year-old Newark boy who lived as a girl. 

Police found the body Wednesday in a shallow grave in El Dorado County after being directed to the spot by a suspect a day earlier. They were withholding the boy’s name pending identification of the body. 

The boy had been missing for two weeks. He attended a party in Newark on Oct. 3 where a witness saw him get into a heated argument and physical fight, police said. 

The teenager, who attended Newark Continuation School, had chosen to dress like a girl “for some time,” according to Newark police Lt. Tom Milner. 

“We don’t know if that’s the prime factor in the altercation or if there were other factors involved such as revenge,” he said. “These things are all definitely in play.” 

Michael William Magidson, 27, Jaron Chase Nabors, 19, Paul Richard Merel Jr., 25, and Jose Antonio Merel, 24, were arrested Wednesday and were each being held on suspicion of homicide.