Steve Bencom
Steve Bencom, 39, died in his cell at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on June 28, 2020, after being found stabbed and strangled. Coroner records list his cause of death as stab wounds and ligature strangulation, and the manner as homicide. A federal indictment alleges that another man held at the facility ordered three associates to kill him over an unpaid debt. That man's attorney had no immediate comment, and the lawyers for the other men declined to comment or did not respond.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. A federal indictment alleges that Michael Lerma, also held at the Metropolitan Detention Center, ordered three associates to kill Steve Bencom over an unpaid debt.
Reported by: coroner records; federal indictment.