Man found dead in Bellflower ID'd

BELLFLOWER - A man found dead in Bellflower near the scene of a reported law enforcement pursuit was publicly identified Sunday while a determination of his cause of death was pending.

Aundra Howard was 37 years old, according to the coroner's office. His cause of death was deferred pending additional investigation.

Sheriff's officials said the man now identified as Howard was found dead around 8:35 a.m. Thursday in the 17200 block of Lakewood Boulevard.

A short time later, the nearby Lakewood Boulevard off-ramp from the eastbound 91 Freeway was closed, as were two eastbound freeway lanes, due to "police activity" in the area, according to the California Highway Patrol.

About the same general time the freeway lanes were closed, a pursuit was reported in the area involving sheriff's Lakewood Station personnel. It was unclear whether the pursuit was connected with the death investigation.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.