Additional Coverage:
- 5-year-old boy found in California dumpster with 90 injuries as cause of death revealed (themirror.com)
A recent autopsy report has confirmed the cause of death for 5-year-old Elyjah Hearn, whose body was tragically found last summer in a dumpster in Los Angeles.
Elyjah’s body was discovered last July by someone searching for recyclable materials in a dumpster located in the Panorama City neighborhood. The boy was found naked and wrapped in a blanket.
Brycson Gaddis, the ex-boyfriend of Elyjah’s mother, has been charged with his murder. Authorities allege that Gaddis fatally beat the child.
According to the L.A. County medical examiner’s report, Elyjah’s body showed approximately 90 separate injuries, including a fractured jaw, broken rib, internal bleeding, and numerous cuts and bruises. These injuries appeared at various stages of healing, indicating that Elyjah had suffered abuse multiple times.
The autopsy also detailed extensive trauma to Elyjah’s arms, legs, head, and torso, along with several tears in his liver. Bruises were found on his buttocks, eyes, head, and throughout his body. Although investigators detected a small amount of methamphetamine in his system, they stated it did not contribute to his death.
Ultimately, Elyjah’s death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
Gaddis, 21, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody with bail set at $2 million. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison. Since the incident, Gaddis has been charged with additional offenses, including assault, domestic violence, and carjacking.
Elyjah’s grandfather, Troy Hearn, expressed profound grief and anger over the loss. “It’s very heartbreaking for [Gaddis] to do that to my 5-year-old grandson,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed and so angry that I can’t even explain it.”
Surveillance footage obtained by ABC7 reportedly shows a man and woman carrying what appeared to be a person wrapped in a blanket near the location where Elyjah’s body was later found.
Prosecutors allege that Gaddis beat Elyjah to death inside an apartment on July 11 before disposing of the body in the dumpster, where it was discovered the following day. The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office has pledged to hold Gaddis fully accountable for this heartbreaking and horrific crime.