BERWYN HEIGHTS, Md. — A 24-year-old man faces charges for his alleged role in a murder in Prince George's County. He is currently being held without bond for the suspected killing of 54-year-old Sandeep Gupta of Berwyn Heights.
Police identified Joiker Avila-Avila of Hyattsville as the suspect in the May murder, over two months after the crime. He is charged with first-degree murder and other related charges in connection to the death of Gupta.
On May 12, at 10:30 p.m., officers were called to a home on Cunningham Drive. Once there, officers found Gupta unresponsive. He was declared dead before being taken to an area hospital for further examination.
The next day, the Officer of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death to be asphyxiation. The death was also ruled a homicide.
Over two months later, police identified and located a suspect identified as Avila-Avila. Investigators say he and the victim knew each other. Avila-Avila was arrested, charged and taken into custody.
The motive for the murder remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto your mobile device) or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
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