A late-night welfare check in Hollywood led to the discovery of three deceased men inside an apartment, prompting an active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The incident unfolded around 11:30 p.m. at an apartment building on Wilcox Avenue near Cahuenga and Franklin avenues. Officers initially responded after receiving a request to check on the occupants.
When no one answered the door, a property manager helped officers gain access to the unit, where they found three men dead.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause or manner of death, and investigators remained at the scene Tuesday morning gathering evidence.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to LAPD Captain Susan Nunez, officers responded to an apartment building on Wilcox Avenue after receiving a welfare check request late Monday night.
When repeated attempts to contact the occupants were unsuccessful, a property manager allowed officers into the apartment.
"Officers got a call for a welfare check at an apartment unit right here on Wilcox Avenue," Captain Susan Nunez told NBC4.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered three adult men dead.
Early reports indicated the victims may have suffered gunshot wounds. However, Nunez later emphasized that investigators were still awaiting legal authorization to fully process the apartment before confirming those details.
"Earlier this morning, the LAPD told Today in L.A. the men were found with gunshot wounds. But Captain Nunez says she cannot confirm until she gets that search warrant and gets inside the unit," NBC4 reporter Lauren Coronado reported.
Investigators spent several hours securing the scene while waiting for a search warrant that would allow detectives to conduct a more thorough examination of the apartment and collect evidence.
By Tuesday morning, officers had entered the residence under the warrant and began documenting the scene.
Neighbors told NBC4 they did not hear any gunshots overnight, adding another unanswered question to the investigation.
Police vehicles remained outside the apartment complex as detectives continued gathering evidence throughout the morning.
Key Facts:
- Location: Wilcox Avenue near Cahuenga and Franklin avenues, Hollywood.
- Time Reported: Approximately 11:30 p.m.
- Incident: Welfare check led to discovery of three deceased men.
- Victims: Three adult males.
- Investigation: Active homicide investigation pending confirmation of cause of death.
- Evidence: Detectives executed a search warrant before conducting a full examination of the apartment.
WHY IT MATTERS
Multiple unexplained deaths inside a single residence are uncommon and typically require an extensive forensic investigation. Detectives must determine whether the deaths resulted from criminal activity, a murder-suicide, accidental circumstances, or another cause.
Investigators are expected to rely on forensic evidence, autopsy findings, witness interviews, surveillance footage, and electronic records to reconstruct what occurred inside the apartment.
A skeptical view is that, despite early reports suggesting gunshot wounds, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of death. Initial information at active crime scenes can change as investigators gather additional evidence. The delay in releasing details does not necessarily indicate wrongdoing or a cover-up; rather, detectives often wait until search warrants are executed and forensic examinations are completed before making official statements. Until the Medical Examiner completes the autopsies and investigators finish processing the scene, conclusions about exactly what happened remain premature.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Detectives are expected to continue processing the apartment and interviewing anyone who may have had contact with the victims before the welfare check.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner will determine the official causes and manners of death through autopsies.
Investigators will also review surveillance footage from the apartment complex and surrounding area, examine physical evidence recovered inside the residence, and attempt to establish a timeline leading up to the deaths.
LAPD is expected to release additional information once investigators complete their initial examination of the scene.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- What caused the deaths of the three men?
- Have the victims been identified?
- Were the deaths the result of foul play?
- Why was the welfare check originally requested?
- Did investigators recover any weapons or other evidence inside the apartment?
- Have any suspects or persons of interest been identified?
SOURCE NOTE
This story is based on NBC4 Los Angeles' on-scene reporting.
Original broadcast: NBC4 Los Angeles live report by Lauren Coronado.