Aramazd Andressian Jr.: Missing South Pasadena Boy's Remains Found

SOUTH PASADENA, CA — Authorities have recovered the remains of Aramazd Andressian Jr., the 5-year-old South Pasadena boy who had been missing since April, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed. The boy's father, 35-year-old Aramazd Andressian Sr., has been in custody since June 23 on suspicion of killing the young boy.

Authorities said they located the younger Andressian's remains after they developed additional leads and returned to the Lake Cachuma area of Santa Barbara County on Friday.

The elder Andressian returned to the Southland Friday from Las Vegas, where he was arrested a week ago. Andressian Sr. allegedly killed his son amid a bitter custody battle with the boy's mother. Andressian Sr. -- who could face up to 25 years to life in state prison if convicted -- is set to be arraigned Monday at the Alhambra courthouse on a murder charge.

The youngster was last seen at 1 a.m. April 21 leaving Disneyland with his father, who was found unconscious at Arroyo Seco Park in South Pasadena the next day and was unable to account for his son's whereabouts.

Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide Lt. Joe Mendoza alleged the killing was "pre-planned" and took place between the time Andressian and his son left Disneyland and the father was discovered unconscious at the South Pasadena park.

Andressian told investigators he arrived at the park with his son and waited for the golf course to open, and admitted ingesting prescription medication that was not prescribed to him, Mendoza said. Andressian has been uncooperative and gave false information to investigators since he fell under suspicion, Mendoza said.

The father said he did not remember what happened to his child or any details that were useful in locating the boy, according to Mendoza, who said a prescription bottle was found inside Andressian's car, which was doused with gasoline inside and out.

Mendoza alleged that Andressian planned his son's murder to get back at his estranged wife during a "tumultuous" divorce and then tried to commit suicide -- before heading to Las Vegas to prepare to flee the country.

The investigation into the boy's disappearance included several weeks of surveillance, during which the suspect "significantly" changed his appearance, acted in a manner inconsistent with the behavior of a grieving parent and appeared to be planning to flee to a country from which he could not be extradited, Mendoza said.

Sheriff's officials have not provided specifics on any new evidence explaining the suspect's latest arrest. He was originally arrested in Los Angeles County shortly after his son went missing, but was later released for lack of evidence.

An extradition hearing Tuesday in Las Vegas cleared the way for Andressian's return to the Southland. At that hearing, Andressian, sporting dyed, light-colored hair, calmly told a judge that he would not resist being sent back to Los Angeles.

City News Service and Patch editor Paige Austin contributed to this report

Image via LASD