Boy’s death ruled homicide after his body was found inside dumpster in Panorama City

Nearly eight months after a young boy was found dead inside a dumpster in Panorama City, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the boy was murdered, caused by blunt force trauma to his body.

The autopsy report was released Tuesday, revealing the brutality of the boy’s murder: 5-year-old Elyjah Anthony Hearn had contusions, fractures and abrasions on his head, torso and arms. He also had cuts to his forehead and lips.

The boy may have been endured violence before his death: In addition to the existing injuries, he had bruises “in various stages of healing” in the front and back parts of his body, according to the autopsy.

In all, the autopsy noted dozens of signs of traumatic injury.

The Medical Examiner’s Office also said the 5-year-old was “discovered naked and partially wrapped in a fleece throw blanket” inside the dumpster.

Police arrested a man shortly after Elyjah’s body was found. The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Brycson Malik Gaddis, was taken into custody in connection with the boy’s death. A second person was arrested on unrelated charges, the LAPD said.

Elyjah’s grandfather, Troy Hearn Sr., had told NBC Los Angeles that the suspect is his daughter’s estranged boyfriend. He’s not the biological father of the boy.

“(Elyjah) was autistic, but that didn’t slow him down,” Hearn Sr. said. “He could pick your phone up and go through it, any tablet. His speech was slow, but he understood and he was loving.”

NBC4 Investigates uncovered Gaddis’ recent criminal history, which includes a July 2024 arrest in connection with a violent carjacking in Pomona. The district attorney’s office did not prosecute the case under legal time limits and it was dismissed by a judge.

In January 2025, Gaddis was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence and had a protective order against him.

In May 2025, a warrant was issued for his arrest after his court-appointed GPS tracker was disabled and Gaddis failed to show up to court.