Man Charged with Murder of CSUN Student
Agustin Rosendo Fernandez, a 28-year-old Long Beach resident has been charged with the murder of Abdullah Abdullatif Alkadi, a 23-year-old Saudi Arabian student. Alkadi, an engineering student at Cal State Northridge remained missing for over a month. His body was located on Thursday (Oct. 16) along Interstate 10 in the Coachella Valley.
Alkadi was reported missing on Sept. 17. His brother notified police that Alkadi sold his car the day before, but police found no connection between the buyer and Alkadi’s disappearance.
Details concerning how Alkadi died have not been released, but prosecutors believe Fernandez used a knife to commit the crime. Prosecutors claim Fernandez and Alkadi met through social media when Alkadi posted a Craigslist ad to sell his Audi S-5. At a press conference held today, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Becker revealed Alkadi disappeared while "showing that vehicle to a prospective buyer."
Police arrested Fernandez and another suspect on Thursday but only Fernandez has been charged. According to police, Fernandez was in possession of Alkadi's vehicle when he was arrested. He later made statements that led police to Alkadi's body.
"The investigation determined that Agustin Fernandez killed Mr. Alkadi in an attempt to keep both the Audi and the purchase price," Beck said.
An arraignment has been scheduled for Nov. 17 in San Fernando. The defendant is also facing special circumstance charges of murder during a robbery and murder during a carjacking.
Beck also warned the public against the dangers of selling items online.
"I think that the message for the public here is that you have to beware when using online Internet sites to sell anything. Craigslist, eBay, all the other opportunities for sales are also opportunities to let unwanted people into your lives. This happened, not the victim's fault, but with (an) absolutely tragic, tragic outcome." Beck said.
Prosecutors will later decide whether or not to seek the death penalty against Fernandez.
