In a tragic incident, a man accused of murdering a distinguished astrophysicist from the California Institute of Technology had previously been on the scientist’s remote desert property just two months prior. New details about this case are coming to light.
Carl Grillmair, a 67-year-old esteemed researcher at Caltech’s IPAC Science and Data Center, was shot and killed on February 16 at his residence in Llano.
Freddy Snyder, 29, who lived merely two miles from Grillmair, had a history of trespassing on the scientist’s land, as revealed in documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times.
According to sheriff’s officials and court records, Grillmair had alerted authorities about an intruder on his vast, isolated property on December 20.
Responding deputies found Snyder nearby with a loaded, unregistered rifle. He claimed he was heading to the post office and had the weapon for protection against wild animals, even though property records showed the post office was in the opposite direction of Snyder’s residence, the Times reported.
Snyder was subsequently arrested on a felony weapons charge and was also accused of trying to escape from the Palmdale station jail the following day, according to a criminal complaint.
During his Dec. 23 court appearance, Snyder was released on his own recognizance. By Feb. 5 — less than two weeks before the shooting — prosecutors moved to drop the charges entirely given his lack of prior criminal record.
The dismissal came even as other residents reported Snyder’s erratic behavior.
One neighbor in nearby Valyermo told the Times that Snyder had broken into his home on Dec. 28, just days after being released over the first encounter with Grillmair.
Investigators are yet to establish a clear motive for the slaying of the Caltech genius.
Snyder was arrested following a brief pursuit after he allegedly threatened his mother and carjacked her vehicle shortly after the shooting.
His arraignment is scheduled for March 26.
