A man was found dead inside a home in University City Monday morning and San Diego police have now confirmed the victim’s roommate is suspected in the killing.
San Diego Police Department Lt. Anthony Dupree said Tuesday that Brandon Ganskow, 34, is suspected in the death of San Diego resident Kevin Crosthwaite, 56.
Ganskow is facing one count of first-degree murder; he was booked into San Diego Central Jail Monday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
According to Dupree, Ganskow and Crosthwaite lived together at a home on Bothe Avenue. Ganskow’s 57-year-old mother lives there, too.
On Monday, just before 6:15 a.m., the SDPD received a report of a person not breathing inside the home on Bothe Avenue, near Regents Road. When emergency responders arrived at the home, they discovered Crosthwaite lying on the ground, suffering from trauma to his upper body.
He was dead.
Dupree said investigators believe Ganskow and Crosthwaite got into some sort of altercation that, ultimately, led to Crosthwaite’s death. Police did not release further details, including the type of trauma to Crosthwaite’s body.
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Police did say Monday they believed Crosthwaite’s death was a homicide.
Ganskow was detained for questioning at the scene.
Meanwhile, the suspect’s mother told NBC 7, “If he had gotten the help he needed, we wouldn’t be here.”
Outside the home was a large police presence that left residents in the neighborhood confused.
"I just arrived back, and I see you know probably ten police officers out here and detectives and a couple people detained," said neighbor Don Hotz. “I am saddened by it.”
Hotz described the victim as someone who rarely come out of his home, but that he was “very friendly” when he did see him.
“We just hate to see something like that happen in our neighborhood,” said Hotz.
Other neighbors told NBC 7 there had been lots of people coming and going from the house in recent months and that the home was covered in tarps for a time.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can reach out to the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
