FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A 53-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the death of a 72-year-old man, who was found dead in a Fresno apartment.
Police say a welfare check at an apartment complex near First Street and Dayton Avenue led investigators to a homicide case involving the death of Lean Conway.
Officers responded to the complex at about 1:59 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12th, to check on Conway after neighbors reported they had not seen or heard from him for several days.
Officers forced entry into the apartment and found Conway dead inside.
An autopsy later determined that Conway suffered blunt force trauma and that his death was a homicide.
Detectives said Conway lived alone but frequently allowed various individuals to come and go from his residence.
Homicide detectives identified 53-year-old Lemual Wheatley as the suspect in Conway’s death.
Investigators determined Conway and Wheatley were acquaintances and were involved in a dispute on or around Jan. 31st.
Police said the dispute escalated and Wheatley physically assaulted Conway, causing blunt force trauma and Conway’s eventual death.
Members of the Fresno Police Department’s Street Violence Bureau Tactical Team located Wheatley in the area of Bardell Avenue and Kaviland Avenue on Wednesday and took him into custody on an unrelated felony warrant.
On Thursday, homicide detectives also charged Wheatley with murder.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact the Fresno Police Department.
Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.
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Anyone with information can also contact Fresno Police Department Homicide Detective J. Baroni at 559-621-2516 or Detective N. Carr at 559-621-2445.