The remains of a 92-year-old real estate mogul might have been decaying for several days before being discovered in his Hermosa Beach residence. This revelation emerges after an unusual standoff involving a suspect who had barricaded themselves inside the home for hours, as per authorities.
Demetrius Doukoullos, a veteran property investor in this serene seaside locale, had not been spotted for multiple days, prompting someone to request a welfare check at his home.
Alarm bells were further raised by neighbors who reported an unpleasant smell emanating from the property.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a 39-year-old individual inside who refused to vacate the premises, asserting they were armed.
The suspect, identified as Robert Simmons—also known by the name Eleanor Beaulieu and described in reports as a transgender woman—had barricaded themselves in a bedroom, leading to a tense, prolonged standoff with law enforcement and SWAT units.
After approximately seven hours, negotiators succeeded in persuading the suspect to surrender without any further complications.
Once inside, authorities made a grim discovery.
Doukoullos was found dead in the home, with investigators noting signs of trauma.
Officials believe he may have been dead for several days before police arrived. Simmons was taken into custody and later charged with murder.
Bail has been set in the millions as detectives continue working to piece together what led to the killing. Authorities have not said whether the suspect and the victim knew each other, and a motive has not been identified.
The timeline suggests the suspect remained inside the home in the days leading up to the discovery, though investigators have not released full details about what happened during that period.
Adding to the odd scene, the suspect was reported to be wearing a dark suit, hat and sunglasses resembling the look from ‘The Blues Brothers’ at the time of the standoff.
The case remains under active investigation as officials continue processing evidence from inside the home.
