(L.A.) Steve Bencom, 39, Died in Jail

Case Number: 2020-05726

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 39-year-old Hispanic male that occurred in federal jail.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as Steve Bencom.

Born in L.A. County. Mother’s maiden name is Negrete.

Manner of Death: Homicide

Cause of Death: Combined Effects of Stab Wounds and Ligature Strangulation

RIP STEVE ALEXANDER BENCOM (November 8, 1980 – June 29, 2020)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 8:50 a.m.

Incident Location: Metropolitan Detention Center
535 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, 90012

The decedent was stabbed in the heart and in the eye. He was a member of the King Kobras gang called “Risky” and had apparently run up a drug debt while incarcerated. He was attacked the afternoon of June 28, Sunday, and likely died half a day before his body was found by guards Monday morning.

Federal prosecutors have alleged that Mexican Mafia leader Michael Lerma directed three of his gang members to commit the murder.

(L.A.) Frankie Buelna, 61, Died in a Hospital