Crime & Safety

Suspect In May Fatal Asphyxiation Of Berwyn Heights Man Arrested: Prince George's Police

Prince George's Police have charged a Hyattsville man in connection to the fatal asphyxiation of a Berwyn Heights man in May.

HYATTSVILLE, MD — Police have arrested and charged a suspect in connection to the murder of a Berwyn Heights man in May.

On May 12 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Berwyn Heights police officers were called to the 8600 block of Cunningham Drive. They found 54-year-old Sandeep Gupta of Berwyn Heights inside a home unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased on the scene, police said.

On May 13, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death to be asphyxiation and the manner of death a homicide.

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The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Joiker Avila-Avila of Hyattsville. He has been charged with first-degree murder and related charges. The preliminary investigation indicates that Gupta and Avila knew each other.

Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a detective can call 301-516-2512.

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