Suspect Charged for Death of Elderly Man Found in Middle of Street
John A Gordon
UNION CITY — Police arrested a suspect believed responsible for the death of an elderly man earlier this month—when a dispute turned violent and apparently caused the victim’s fatal heart attack.
Paramedics were unable to save 64-year-old Leyva Aniano, whose body was found outside a residence on the 4400 block of Lisa Drive—not breathing and unconscious—when police officers arrived on November 9.
Police were summoned because an unresponsive man seen was lying in the middle of street. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:36 a.m.
There were no obvious indications of trauma to cause the man’s death, police said, but a witness told detectives that Aniano was engaged in a heated argument and physical struggle before officers arrived.
Lisa Drive between Regents Boulevard and Allison Drive was closed until 7 p.m. while police investigated what happened.
A subsequent autopsy concluded that Aniano had suffered a heart attack, which was probably caused by a physical altercation. Aniano was sitting inside a car when the suspect allegedly opened the car door and pulled him outside—and a struggle between them ensued.
The suspect arrested, John A. Gordon, 46 of Union City, was taken into custody on November 9, and Union City police announced on November 15 that the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged Gordon with murder.
Gordon remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail, ineligible for release on bond. A plea hearing has been scheduled on November 20 at the East County Hall of Justice.
