Los Angeles

“Most Loving Man in the Whole World”: Police Searching for Assailant Who Fatally Beat Navy Veteran

"He was the most kind and loving man in the world": Granddaughter

Detectives asked for the public's help on Wednesday to find the person who fatally beat a Navy veteran described by a grandchild as "the most kind and loving man in the world."

Santos Castro, 76, walked from home to a Carl's Jr. restaurant in the 5600 block of Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles on Aug. 18, according to the LA County Sheriff's Department.

Castro, a father of seven who was known to have had dementia, got into a struggle over a bicycle with a man outside the fast food restaurant, officials said.

The assailant punched Castro multiple times in the head, forcing him to fall to the sidewalk, police said. Castro died at a hospital of blunt force trauma hours after the attack.

"He was the most kind and loving man in the whole world," said one of Castro’s granddaughters. "My grandpa was an elderly man who meant no harm to anyone."

Surveillance footage captured the man (pictured at right) inside the Carl’s Jr. before the attack.

"I miss my husband very, very much," wife Leandra said, struggling to speak. "I don't know why they did that to him. I can't be without him, he was such a good guy."

Anyone with information was asked to call police or the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.

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