A BODY WAS found Tuesday afternoon on the premises of the “rusty skeleton” in Garden Grove (OC Tribune photo).
The battered body of a young man was found Tuesday afternoon inside the “rusty skeleton,” the partially-built steel structure in Garden Grove that’s been the subject of controversy and lawsuits for years.
According to Lt. Carl Whitney of the Garden Grove Police Department, officers were called to the abandoned construction site at 10080 Garden Grove Blvd., at 4:50 p.m. regarding reports of a body found there.
Arriving officers and detectives found a dead man – described as Hispanic or white, 19 to 25 years old, of average build – there, his body showing evidence of trauma. An investigation is continuing into what is now considered a suspicious death. The actual cause of death will be determined by the Orange County Coroner. The victim has not been identified.
The multi-story metal superstructure – originally called the Garden Grove Galleria – has been looming over Garden Grove Boulevard (west of Brookhurst Street) unfinished, since 2004. Initially planned as a mixed-use project with retail uses on the first two floors and condominiums above, the project ran into financial trouble that halted construction.
Legal battles among the property owner – the Hoag Foundation – and other parties including the bank, construction firms and others, stalemated the project. A demolition order was issued by the city, but never acted upon.
Earlier this year a new developer, AMG & Associates, revealed plans to develop the structure as an eight-story mixed-use project with 400 affordable senior housing units and 12,938 square feet of retail space. The proposal calls for the development, located on the 3.09-acre site at 10800 to 10180 Garden Grove Blvd., to double in density, with the size of each unit and the open space reduced from earlier plans.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Det. Steve Heine at (714) 741-5422. Anonymous tips can be left at Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227.
Categories: Garden Grove
Thank you, JIm for always getting the fact out. We appreciate you!
For years I wondered about that building. thinking why is it unfinished. what happened? did the investors, developers or owners, spend all the money before lunch? after today I will now think about the young man who was found dead there. Who was he? who did he love? was he happy? etc. but mostly WHY? MY THOUGHTS will go forever. Mystery! Haunted! That day!!! Until I see work on the building. How long will that be? GG senior Community purchased the building in 2016. from foreclosure for $ 23,216.760.24 plus, after the owners in 2014 came into Title as a Bonafide Gift!!!
His name was Jonathan Reynolds, he was my son. He was very loved and had an amazing life. He was hit by a drunk driver on his motorcycle in Huntington Beach, ever since that day he was riddled with pain. His pain was more powerful than all the love in the world. He killed himself by stabbing himself in the heart as he jumped from the rusty skeleton. I too have to see this building everyday. It breaks my heart. Hopefully when they finish building the adult center they will allow our family to place a bench with his name in memory of him.