Man Stabbed to Death in Palmdale

A man was found stabbed to death inside his home Friday in Palmdale, authorities said.

The body was discovered shortly after 8 a.m. in the 37600 block of Patty Court, said Deputy Caroline Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Family members told NBC4 the victim was 64-year-old Vincent Roper.

"Just lost my closest uncle," tweeted Safaree Samuels, a well known hip hop artist who appears on a VH1 reality TV program. "I can barely type...this is the worst I've ever had to deal with."

Roper lived alone, according to family and friends.

Marquisha and Anthony Kirklin said they became concerned when he stopped responding to text messages on Wednesday.

They described going to his home Friday morning with a neighbor to check on him, and becoming concerned when they spotted muddy footprints and discovered the front door unlocked.

When Anthony Kirklin looked inside, he saw a broken picture, items in disarray, dirt or blood on a daybed. Alarmed, they called 911.

"He's a very clean guy," the victim's friend, Marquisha Kirklin, said. "When I saw the disarray, I knew something was wrong."

Friends and family of Roper described him as a genuine man who enjoyed helping his loved ones. 

"He's not a problematic person," Samuels said. "He's just, you know, a working man. I don't know who could have done this. He doesn't have any enemies. He's not that kind of person."

Roper, originally from Jamaica, had a flooring business, working with hardwood and carpeting, according to Samuels and the Kirklins.  They described him as strong and fit and able to carry large rolls of carpeting on his shoulder by himself.

He was also kind and thoughtful, said the Kirklins, recalling how when they were financially stretched to make the final payment for their children's bicycles, Roper stepped in and covered the expense. 

Processing the crime scene and collecting evidence was expected to take late into Friday evening, said Sheriff's Lt. Joe Mendoza, who confirmed that the death is being investigated as a homicide.

No suspect has been identified.

Speaking for Roper's family, Samuels made an appeal for anyone who can shed light on his uncle's death to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding the homicide is encouraged to contact the Palndale Sheriff's Station at 661-272-2400.