A brutal homicide in a Valley Village apartment complex has taken a sharp legal turn, as the suspect in the killing is now formally charged with murder, and the victim’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the building’s management, alleging gross negligence that may have led to the fatal attack.
Suspect Arrested After Nearly Two Weeks on the Run
Erick Escamilla, 27, was arrested Thursday after FBI agents and LAPD detectives located him at a local hospital. He is accused of the April 23 killing of 53-year-old Menashe Hidra, whose body was discovered three days later during a welfare check at the Ashton Sherman Village complex on the 12600 block of Riverside Drive.
The arrest concluded a nearly two-week manhunt that began after police found Hidra dead inside his fifth-floor unit. Authorities allege that Escamilla broke into the complex by climbing to the rooftop, accessing a skylight into a vacant unit, then maneuvering across balconies to enter Hidra’s apartment. The intrusion escalated into what prosecutors described as a “violent confrontation” that ended with Hidra being fatally stabbed with a screwdriver.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Escamilla on Friday with one count each of murder and residential burglary. The murder charge carries a special circumstance allegation—murder during the commission of a burglary—and includes enhancements for Escamilla’s alleged use of a screwdriver and a prior conviction for residential burglary.
Missed Warning Signs: Residents’ Safety Concerns Ignored
The murder has sparked outrage among residents of the complex, many of whom say they warned property management for months about persistent security issues, including break-ins by transients. These warnings, they say, were largely ignored.
Their frustrations are now echoed in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by attorney Steve Vartazarian on behalf of Hidra’s family. The suit alleges that the apartment management exhibited “egregious neglect” by failing to act on repeated resident complaints.
“I have over 50 written complaints to property management in the six months before this incident occurred,” Vartazarian said during an interview with Eyewitness News. “This was entirely preventable. It’s the most egregious form of neglect that I’ve ever come across in all my years of practicing law.”
According to the lawsuit, management’s alleged inaction created an unsafe environment that allowed Escamilla to gain access to the building and ultimately led to Hidra’s death.
A Community Grieves—and Demands Accountability
Hidra, a native of Tel Aviv, Israel, owned and operated a roofing business and had been living in the Valley Village unit for some time. Those who knew him described him as a hardworking and kind man.
One neighbor, who lived directly across the hall, told reporters she was devastated by the murder and now fears for her own safety.
“A man was killed at random for absolutely no reason, for something that was easily preventable,” said Vartazarian, echoing the sentiment of numerous residents calling for justice, not just for Hidra’s family, but for the safety of the entire community.
Neighbors also said they heard a violent struggle on the morning of April 23 and called 911, but police did not enter the unit at the time.
Video footage from Ring doorbell cameras later revealed a man—believed to be Escamilla—attempting to enter multiple apartments in the complex using a screwdriver.
What Happens Next?
Escamilla remains in custody and is expected to appear in court for arraignment. If convicted on all charges, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole due to the special circumstance allegation.
Meanwhile, the wrongful death lawsuit may shine a legal spotlight on property management’s responsibilities to maintain building security and protect residents from foreseeable harm. If found liable, the complex could face significant financial penalties and be forced to make urgent changes to its security protocols.
Despite repeated attempts, the apartment complex’s management has not responded to media inquiries about the case or the lawsuit.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Menashe Hidra is now a catalyst for legal action on two fronts: the criminal prosecution of his accused killer and a civil lawsuit that could have far-reaching implications for property owners and tenant safety. As the legal proceedings unfold, residents of Ashton Sherman Village and beyond are left asking: Could this tragedy have been prevented—and what can be done to ensure it never happens again?
