David "Bear" Meza, a known gang member, was found dead on June 10, 1988, in Los Angeles, California. His death occurred shortly after the disappearance of Matthew Chase, a 22-year-old man who went missing on June 8, 1988. Chase had gone out to deposit his paycheck at an ATM and never returned home. His roommates reported him missing the next day after discovering multiple unsuccessful attempts to withdraw money from his account, captured by surveillance cameras showing a suspicious man standing
close to Chase.
The investigation into Chase's disappearance revealed that he had been abducted and forced to make several ATM withdrawals. The last known sighting of Chase was at an ATM, where he appeared to be under duress. His remains were discovered months later in a ravine in Pasadena, California, with a gunshot wound indicating homicide. The case remained unsolved for years, with no clear leads on the identity of the perpetrator.
In 2018, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they had cleared the case, identifying David "Bear" Meza as the primary suspect in Chase's murder. Meza was identified through surveillance footage and witness testimonies, including his girlfriend, who recognized him in the ATM photos. However, Meza himself was found dead just two days after Chase's disappearance, leading to speculation that he may have had accomplices who were never identified or apprehended.
The circumstances surrounding Meza's death remain unclear, but it is believed that his involvement in gang activities may have played a role. His death effectively closed the case on Chase's murder, providing some closure to Chase's family, although the possibility of other individuals being involved in the crime has not been entirely ruled out. The case highlights the complexities and dangers associated with gang-related violence and the challenges law enforcement faces in solving such crimes.
