heres the article from the woman pictured up there...

Man found dead in his town house
By Cecily Burt, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND -- A 33-year-old fleet manager with Kaiser Permanente was discovered dead, severely beaten, inside his Oakland town house early Monday, police said.

Stunned neighbors said Simon Richardson was a friendly person who had served as association president for the small complex in the 3800 block of 39th Avenue in the city's Laurel district. They were also understandably nervous, not knowing who the assailant is or whether the person is still on the loose.

The neighbors said Richardson had moved with his wife to the quiet Ross Villas complex about two years ago. The couple later separated, and Richardson had taken in a roommate, they said.

Police spokeswoman Danielle Ashford said the roommate called police at 2:33 a.m. after finding Richardson's body inside.

Oakland police Sgt. Lou Cruz said authorities have made no arrests but are following several leads.



Neighbors said they overheard police saying the body had been there for a while before it was found. An autopsy has not yet been performed, but Coroner Supervisor Frank Gentle said it is possible Richardson's body had been there about a day or so before police were called.

"It is creepy," said Nyota, a neighbor who has lived at the cozy complex for 11 years. "I woke this morning about 7 a.m. and saw the police here."

Art Fletcher, another longtime resident, said Richardson was pressed into service as the association's president and had done a good job. He said most people who live in the small complex know each other and are friendly, but the neighbors said they did not have a warm feeling toward Richardson's roommate. "He and his roommate had issues," Fletcher said. "Simon had called the police on him before. We were very sorry to hear it was Simon (who had died)."

That may be the case, but the roommate it not being arrested, said Oakland police Homicide Sgt. Lou Cruz. He said there are leads, but the final cause of death is pending results of an autopsy today, so it is "still an open case."

Cruz said he can understand why the neighbors would be jittery. He said it appears the victim was the target, but he would not discuss a possible motive.

The complex is set back from the main road, with 16 units surrounding a courtyard and small parking lot. A substantial redwood tree stands not far from Richardson's front door.

Oakland police cordoned off the area surrounding the town house and took items from the home as part of a search warrant. Evidence technicians removed a computer and a long handled pickax, which may or may not end up being related to the crime.

Coworkers were stunned by the news at Kaiser's Northern California regional offices in Oakland, where Richardson had worked since 1997 as a fleet coordinator overseeing the company's trucks and pool cars, said spokesman Rick Malaspina.

"I talked to his manager and a couple of coworkers, and they said they are shocked and feel a great loss," Malaspina said. "They said he was a great guy to work with, always very helpful."

"Everybody loved him here," said a woman who answered the phone at Kaiser fleet management offices. "We're all still in shock."

Crime Stoppers is offering up to$10,000 for information about this case. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 238-6946 or the Oakland police homicide division at 238-3821.