Man Arrested for Murder of 5-Year-Old Elyjiah Hearn, Found in Dumpster in Panorama City

Police and family identified the boy as Elyjiah Hearn

A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of 5-year-old Elyjiah Hearn, whose body was found in a dumpster in the Panorama City neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Wednesday that Brycson Gaddis, who was previously detained for questioning, has been booked in connection with the child’s death.

LAPD’s juvenile division announced that Gaddis is the suspect responsible for the murder. Authorities confirmed that Elyjiah was not Gaddis’ biological child. According to the victim’s grandfather, Gaddis was formerly in a relationship with Elyjiah’s mother, and the relationship was marked by violence.

The investigation began after LAPD received a tip that led officers to an apartment complex in Panorama City on Tuesday night. There, a man and a woman were detained, and two children were taken into protective custody near a vigil and impromptu memorial site set up in honor of Elyjiah.

Police and family identified the boy as Elyjiah Hearn

Several hours later, around 1 a.m., LAPD officers detained an additional two men and one woman at a residence in Hollywood, approximately 13 miles from the original scene, while gathering further evidence in the case. Of the five people detained in total, one was arrested on an unrelated charge and three were later released.

Elyjiah’s body was discovered on the morning of July 12 inside a trash bin less than a mile from the Panorama City apartment complex. Police say the child showed signs of trauma. The LAPD’s Abused Child Unit has taken over the investigation.

At a police commission meeting, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell reported that the young boy’s body showed visible signs of injury, further confirming the need for a full homicide investigation.