Chula Vista man who was arrested in connection with the 1976 murder

The 68-year-old victim was stabbed on November 10, 1976 in his home house Logan Heights, the Evening Tribune reported at that time. His residence in Harrison Avenue in 1933 was searched, said the San Diego police.

Leo Marquina's killing remained unsolved for almost 50 years.

After a joint investigation by the police authority of San Diego and the Cold Case Unit of the district lawyer, a suspect was arrested in connection with the murder.

Mitchell Hernandez, 73, from Chula Vista, was charged with murder on Monday before the San Diego Supreme Court. He was not guilty and has a maximum prison sentence of 15 years in prison if it has been convicted.

“This case was solved because our investigators, who worked hand in hand with the public prosecutor, never looked for tasks and continued for new leads and opportunities to use progress in the Forensic Science area to bring justice's family,” said Jonathan Dugan, police from San Diego.

The case was reopened in 2022 after getting cold. Dugan refused to publish additional information about how Hernandez was identified as a suspect.

According to The Evening Tribune, the neighbors had not seen Marquina for several days and became suspicious before they notified the police. Officers forced themselves to the house.

The San Diego Union reported that Marquina worked part -time as a seller and, according to the neighbors, lived alone.

Originally published: April 28, 2025 at 5:49 p.m. PDT