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The incident took place around 10 p.m., Sunday, May 19, when Milford Police and Fire Department personnel responded to 583 Anderson Avenue on the report of a 50-year-old male, unconscious and not breathing, said Milford Police Officer Mike DeVito.
Upon arrival, a male, later identified as Christopher Peckham, 49, was found dead outside of the residence, he added.
The person who called about Peckham, Ricky Garcia, 57, who lived in the same rooming complex on Anderson Avenue, told the police that he found Peckham dead and called 911.
Peckham’s body was located at the bottom of a handicap ramp, lying face up, and appeared to have several blunt trauma wounds/ bruising throughout his face, eyes, torso, chest, and legs, DeVito said.
He also had lacerations and appeared he was recently bleeding on his face, nose, and chest.
An in-depth and extensive investigation took place over the course of the next approximately 23 hours, including interviewing witnesses and other residents.
The investigation led to the arrest of Garcia, who is accused of assaulting Peckham with his hands and feet, then with another male, dragging Peckham outside of the residence, unconscious but believed to still be alive.
Garcia stated to detectives that he recalled kicking Peckham two times and that afterward he just "lied lymph."
He told officers he could not recall any further details about the physical altercation.
Garcia was charged with manslaughter and is being held on $250,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, May 21.
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