A 24-year-old man was charged Tuesday with murdering his uncle, who disappeared from his Santa Clarita-area home about 3 1/2 years ago.
Daniel Cierzan, who is set to be arraigned Tuesday in a San Fernando courtroom, is accused of killing 62-year-old William Cierzan, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The victim’s wife, Linda, spoke with him by phone while he was cooking dinner about 4 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2017, and found him gone when she arrived home about three hours later, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
William Cierzan’s vehicle, wallet and cellphone were left behind, and family members reported him missing after being unable to find him. Investigators later found blood inside the home, according to the sheriff’s department, which said “his remains have not been located.”
His nephew was arrested Friday in connection with the “disappearance and murder” of his uncle, according to the sheriff’s department. A motive was not disclosed.
The city of Santa Clarita and an anonymous source had offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of anyone responsible for the disappearance of William Cierzan, a Magic Mountain employee who enjoyed golfing and collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia.
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