A 66-year-old man who was allegedly beaten over a three-day period before being drowned in a Golden Gate Park has been identified as Stephen Williams.
A 66-year-old man who was allegedly brutally beaten over a three-day period by two men before being drowned in a lake in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has been identified as Stephen Williams, according to the city’s medical examiner.
The two men who allegedly murdered Williams were arraigned in court Monday, according to court documents.
They’ve been identified as 20-year-old Stephen Billingsley and 37-year-old Nikki Williams.
Williams, who goes by the alias “Evil,” is charged with assault, false imprisonment, elder abuse and conspiracy, in addition to two outstanding warrants.
Billingsley, who goes by the alias “Pizza Steve,” is charged with torture, murder, assault, conspiracy and elder abuse.
Although it was not immediately clear how the two suspects knew Stephen Williams, the pair had been repeatedly harassing him for more than three days, according to court documents.
On May 22, Billingsley and Nikki Williams allegedly pulled the victim into Alvord Lake, striking him and dunking him repeatedly.
Then on May 23, Billingsley, along with other unknown suspects, allegedly struck and stomped on Stephen Williams near Haight and Clayton streets, rendering him unconscious.
Finally, on May 24, Billingsley and Nikki Williams allegedly struck and stomped the victim near the lake, again rendering him unconscious.
Billingsley, along with other unknown suspects, then dragged Stephen Williams into Alvord Lake, according to court documents.
That same day, a gardener in the area reported seeing a body, later identified as Stephen Williams, facedown in the lake around 7 a.m., according to police.
Police responded and investigators with the medical examiner’s office and the Police Department’s homicide detail determined that the death appeared to be suspicious. The small lake was drained as investigators looked for any other possible evidence in the case.
Spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney’s office Max Szabo said in a statement:
“This is an ongoing investigation, however, the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death are incredibly tragic. … All human life is precious, and whether you live in a palace or in a park, we will pursue those who resort to violence.”
Bail has been set for the pair at $1 million. They are set to return to court on June 17 for a pre-hearing conference.
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