WOODLAND HILLS—On Friday, May 9, at 11:00 a.m. the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief of Police, Jim McDonnell and LAPD Commander Divyesh Shah, and Operations Bureau Homicide Lieutenant Guy Golan held a press conference at LAPD Headquarters to update the public on the recent murder investigation at Valley Village Apartments in Woodland Hills.
The following information came directly from LAPD and has been posted in full text in a press release that may be found on the LAPD website.
The investigation has, “revealed that the suspect accessed the victim’s residence by entering through a skylight in an adjacent vacant apartment and traversing the balconies. A physical altercation occurred between the suspect and the victim, which ultimately resulted in the victim’s death”.
Operations-Valley Bureau Homicide assumed investigative responsibility for the case. Following an exhaustive investigation, homicide detectives identified the suspect as:
Erick Escamilla, a 27-year-old male, Hispanic, with black hair, brown eyes, standing five feet six inches tall and weighing approximately 170 pounds. His date of birth is October 7, 1997.
Escamilla was allegedly seen on Ring doorbell video trying to get into apartments using a screwdriver. The LAPD also released images of the suspect showing him wearing a dark-colored jacket and a hat.
On May 8, 2025, the FBI Task Force, along with Valley Bureau Homicide detectives, located Erick Escamilla at a local hospital. He is currently receiving medical treatment.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department website, Inmate Locator, Escamilla has a criminal history.
On December 6, 2024, Escamilla was arrested by San Fernando Police Department on felony charges. Booking records read, “Case Adjudicated.” He was subsequently released on December 26, 2024.
On February 17, 2025, Escamilla was placed under citizen’s arrest on misdemeanor charges and released after spending the night in jail.
On May 7, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) initiated an internal investigation after officers were dispatched to Valley Village Apartments in Woodland Hills, on what seemed like a ploy, until a deceased man’s body was found a day later.
This unsolved crime report was first reported on April 26 and updated on May 1.
LAPD officers responded to a call for a welfare check in the 12600 block of Riverside Drive. Responding officers discovered a deceased male, later identified as Menashe, “Manny,” Hildra.
New reports indicate that the body found in the apartment is believed to have been
deceased before the officer’s initial discovery of the corpse.
Detectives reportedly found blood outside the apartment complex. In addition, LAPD
received calls at this apartment complex the week prior.
LAPD Chief McDonnell made the following statement regarding this investigation:
“Officers responded to a radio call of an assault with a deadly weapon in progress. They did
not hear or see any signs of disturbance. They were not able to make contact with anyone
inside, so the officers cleared the location.”
Multiple social media reports of someone on the roof. Another report indicated that someone was attempting to break into the empty apartment unit next door.
Reports indicate that it was the next day when a neighbor requested a welfare check, that
police found the body of Menashe Hidra. His death was ruled a homicide.
By Sharon