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| JOHN HARVEY LATHAM, Sr. Jun 1, 1913-Dec 21, 1945 Articles provided by SABREENAKATZ with many Thanks TIRE MAN SLAIN IN NIGHT ROBBERY Dec 23, 1945 John H. Latham, 36, Felled, Money Taken At Main St. Yard John H. Latham, 36, of 4584 W. Pt. Loma Blvd, salvage yard and tire shop proprietor, was found murdered early yesterday at his place of business at 2190 Main Street. Latham's body, lying in a pool of blood under an open-fronted shed, just off the company's office, was discovered by an employee at about 7 a.m. Police said he had been dead about 10 hours. SKULL CRUSHED Lt. Ed Dieckmann, chief of the police homicide squad said Latham's skull was crushed by blows from a three-foot length rusty pipe wielded by an assailant who lurked in the dark just outside Latham's office door as the proprietor was preparing to close his place shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday. Motive for the Slaying, Dieckmann said, obviously was robbery, for Latham's wallet customarily contained between $400.00 and $500.00 was missing. And there was no trace of about $200.00 Latham took in during the day. He habitually took the days receipts home each night carrying it in a canvas bag. Dieckmann said Latham called his wife at 9 p.m. and told her he had just made a sale and and that he was then leaving the shop. He did not get further than the shed outside his office. Latham's wife, Helen, did not know of her husband's death until yesterday morning when police called her. She had not notified police when he failed to reach home. Dieckmann said, because Latham sometimes "stayed out with the boys". In addition to the widow, Latham had four children, John 6, Patrick 4, Jacqueline 2-1/2, and Robert 3 months. NO CLUES FOUND Dieckmann said the killer left no clues, and the length of pipe which the killer picked up in the yard was probably too rusty for fingerprints. Latham who had changed from his working clothes into street apparel, was struck in the back of the head as he stepped out of the office into the equipment loaded shed. The body fell downward, but the murderer apparantly turned Latham on his back. The gravel floor of the shed, Dieckmann said, showed no signs of a struggle. DISCOVERS BODY When Frank Flynn, an employee, arrived at the yard as usual at 7 a.m. to turn on electric tire molds, he saw Latham's car in the yard, and a few seconds later, discovered his employer's body. A clock connected with the molds was stopped at 8:50 indicating Latham had turned it off before preparing to leave for home. A light was still burning in Latham's office. The main gate to the salvage yard was open. The yard is surrounded by a 10 foot board fence. Latham's place was one of several enclosed in the sprawling yard. Dieckmann theorized that someone saw Latham gathering up the day's receipts, saw a chance to rob him and waited in the shed until Latham emerged. He said he did not believe the crime was planned in advance. The homicide bureau chief said they have no suspects.A former employee whom Latham fired last Tuesday was questioned by police and was exonerated. AUTOPSY CONDUCTED The body was take to Johnson Saum mortuary where an autopsy was conducted yesterday under direction of Deputy Coroner E.A. Turner. Turner said Latham died of a "crushing skull fracture apparently the result of a very vicious blow from a blunt instrument." He said the autopsy indicated only one blow was struck An inquest will be conducted later, Turner said. Latham, who formerly operated a service station on Rosecrans St. near Canon St. recently purchased the tire repair and salvage plant from a partner, police were told. Latham, a native of Los Angeles, had resided in San Diego for 30 years and was a graduate of Pt. Loma High School in 1932. Funeral arrangements are pending with Johnson Saum mortuary. Dieckmann assigned Detectives Elmer Wadman and C.D. Hughes to the case. **************** ARTICLE 2 Related National Enquirer Article HOME INDEX LACI SCOTT PETERSON INDEX HELEN LATHAM TRIAL NEWS PETERSON TREE |