Persons of interest in South Seattle beating death identified
SEATTLE -- Police have identified three persons of interest in the beating of South Seattle hairdresser Danny Vega, who died in late November.
One of those persons of interest - a 22-year-old felon with a history of robbery - admitted to being one of the three people in a video released by police shortly after Vega's death. They say he also identified the two others persons of interest.
Surveillance images show one of three young men discarding a jacket near where Vega was beaten. Vega had his house keys, cell phone and black jacket stolen during the Nov. 15 robbery in the 4000 block of South Willow Street.
The 22-year-old who allegedly identified himself "did not deny the incident, just says he can't remember," Detective Frank Clark wrote in a case document.
Department spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the case has not been referred to prosecutors. He said the three have not been named as suspects.
Case documents show detectives gathered information on the young men as part of the murder investigation. Vega's death hasn't been ruled a homicide because he had a preexisting medical condition that may have played a role, but Seattle police are investigating it as such.
Police documents show multiple calls were made from Vega's stolen cell phone to residences connected to the persons of interest.
While searching the home of the young man who allegedly identified himself, detectives recovered a box of shoes, part of a cell phone, clothes, a photo from the young man's wall and papers.
The video and surveillance images from the November attack was first distributed Nov. 30 within the Seattle Police Department. That led to several officers identifying the young man trying to open a dumpster to dispose of Vega's coat as the man who later identified himself.
After the same video was released to reporters, police said they received more than a dozen tips identifying that young man.
Police documents show that one of the calls he allegedly made from Vega's stolen cell phone was to the Department of Social and Health Services updating his address.
Investigators say at least two tips identified one of the other persons of interest in the video. The multiple searches were done in mid-December, though police spokespeople did not discuss the developments until contacted by reporters.
Seattlepi.com does not typically name people until they're charged, and none of the three men in this case have been arrested in the case.
For several weeks after Vega's death, family and friends passed out fliers about the attack around South Seattle and the Filipino community. Police repeatedly asked for help from anyone who may have information about the case - even after police had been told the identities of the persons of interest, documents show.
Though Vega's case has not been ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner, it was included in Seattle list of 20 reported homicides in 2011.
Seattlepi.com is a media partner of KOMO News.
One of those persons of interest - a 22-year-old felon with a history of robbery - admitted to being one of the three people in a video released by police shortly after Vega's death. They say he also identified the two others persons of interest.
Surveillance images show one of three young men discarding a jacket near where Vega was beaten. Vega had his house keys, cell phone and black jacket stolen during the Nov. 15 robbery in the 4000 block of South Willow Street.
The 22-year-old who allegedly identified himself "did not deny the incident, just says he can't remember," Detective Frank Clark wrote in a case document.
Department spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the case has not been referred to prosecutors. He said the three have not been named as suspects.
Case documents show detectives gathered information on the young men as part of the murder investigation. Vega's death hasn't been ruled a homicide because he had a preexisting medical condition that may have played a role, but Seattle police are investigating it as such.
Police documents show multiple calls were made from Vega's stolen cell phone to residences connected to the persons of interest.
While searching the home of the young man who allegedly identified himself, detectives recovered a box of shoes, part of a cell phone, clothes, a photo from the young man's wall and papers.
The video and surveillance images from the November attack was first distributed Nov. 30 within the Seattle Police Department. That led to several officers identifying the young man trying to open a dumpster to dispose of Vega's coat as the man who later identified himself.
After the same video was released to reporters, police said they received more than a dozen tips identifying that young man.
Police documents show that one of the calls he allegedly made from Vega's stolen cell phone was to the Department of Social and Health Services updating his address.
Investigators say at least two tips identified one of the other persons of interest in the video. The multiple searches were done in mid-December, though police spokespeople did not discuss the developments until contacted by reporters.
Seattlepi.com does not typically name people until they're charged, and none of the three men in this case have been arrested in the case.
For several weeks after Vega's death, family and friends passed out fliers about the attack around South Seattle and the Filipino community. Police repeatedly asked for help from anyone who may have information about the case - even after police had been told the identities of the persons of interest, documents show.
Though Vega's case has not been ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner, it was included in Seattle list of 20 reported homicides in 2011.
Seattlepi.com is a media partner of KOMO News.
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