Long Beach
Police Department

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The Long Beach Police Department is investigating an undetermined death related to an incident that occurred between 10:00 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2021 and 4:46 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2021 in the area of Stearns Street and Carfax Avenue.

On Aug. 15, 2021 at approximately 7:13 p.m., a potential battery incident was reported to the Long Beach Police Department. Officers contacted a woman who stated her husband may have been assaulted early that morning and was at a local hospital.

Through further investigation, it was determined that on Aug. 15, 2021 at approximately 4:46 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Stearns Street and Carfax Avenue to assist the Long Beach Fire Department with a person down. The man was located in the service road of Stearns Street with a critical injury to the upper body. With the information available at the time, officers believed a potential medical emergency had occurred.

Once the potential battery was reported to police, detectives began investigating. They have canvassed the area multiple times and they are still in the process of contacting potential witnesses and collecting evidence.

Preliminary investigation has revealed the man was last seen walking alone from Avenue 3 Pizza at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2021. At some point between 10:00 p.m. and 4:46 a.m., he sustained a critical injury to the upper body; however, currently, it is unknown how he sustained the injury. His property has all been located with the exception of a watch.

On Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, the Police Department was notified that the man passed away at a local hospital. Due to the unknown circumstances leading up to the man’s death, this incident is now being investigated by the Long Beach Police Homicide Detail. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will determine the cause and manner of death. The man has been identified as James McManus, a 61-year-old resident of Long Beach.

Detectives are actively investigating all leads and are in regular communication with the man’s family. The Long Beach Police Department is asking anyone who lives in the area to review their camera footage from between Aug. 14, 2021 at 10:00 p.m. and Aug. 15, 2021 at 4:46 a.m. for any photo/video that may have captured what occurred that night. Attached is a photo of the man, taken that night. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and dark shoes.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Homicide Detectives Ethan Shear or Jose Rodriguez at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple app store or Google Play), or by visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.