News Releases

February 19, 2021: Man Charged With 1978 Murder in El Monte

Contact: 
Greg Risling, Assistant Media Chief
(213) 257-2000

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a 61-year-old man has been charged with murdering a man at an El Monte motel in 1978.

“For more than 40 years, justice has eluded the victim’s family for this brutal murder,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “I commend the unwavering resolve and the tenacious work put in by sheriff’s detectives and attorneys in the Cold Case Unit to bring some relief to those who have had to endure this tragedy.”

Anthony Davis (dob 9/20/59) was charged yesterday in case KA126733 with one count of murder. He is expected to be arraigned today in Department N of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pomona Branch.

On or about Jan. 7, 1978, the defendant is accused of fatally stabbing Rudolfo Chavez, 42, more than 40 times at the Spic and Span motel. He was found the next day by a motel employee.

DNA evidence found in a motel room tied Davis to the crime.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.