Three brothers found stabbed to death in the back seat of a sport utility vehicle Wednesday morning have been identified by the coroner's office.
The boys were identified as Luis Alfanso Fuentes, 10, Juan Daniel Fuentes, 9, and Alexander Fuentes, 8. They were previously identified in a message posted for an online fundraiser.
Police responded around 7 a.m. to an SUV parked in the 300 block of East 32nd Street on a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in South Los Angeles. The three boys were found dead in the back seat, while the father was found bloodied and suffering from stab wounds, police said.
"It's a pain that I can't describe," said aunt Xiomara Mena. "They were happy. They were kids, normal kids, happy kids."
The father, who is suspected of killing them, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
A knife was recovered at the scene.
"The biological mother of the children we believe to be deceased. We believe there is a stepmother and she is safe," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. "These are incidents that scar not only a community but the first responders who have to handle them. It is a sad day in Los Angeles."
The Rev. Rudy Cruz said the family visited an Aug. 29 block party where community members distributed backpacks and other items.
"They were a very sweet family," said the Rev. Rudy Cruz. "It's really difficult. All we can do is offer hope and love and prayers. I believe he lost his way, he lost hope."
Residents in South Los Angeles held a memorial Wednesday night for the slain brothers at 32nd Street near the scene where they were found dead. Family members said they were shocked to learn from police that the father allegedly killed his sons.
"He loved his kids and it's hard for me to see him do something like this. It's unbelievable. I don't know what drove him to do something like this," said Rene Chanquin, the father's cousin.
