| For Immediate Release Case # 11CF2110 April 14, 2014 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING UNCLE IN LA PALMA BEFORE DUMPING AND BURNING BODY IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of murdering his uncle and dumping the victim’s body in a remote area of Santa Barbara County after setting it on fire in an attempt to destroy the evidence. Kirk Michael Galvin, 25, La Palma, pleaded guilty today to one felony count of second degree murder. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison at his sentencing May 23, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-45, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On July 27, 2011, Kirk Galvin murdered his 53-year-old uncle Douglas Galvin. He committed the murder in his father’s La Palma apartment while his father was out of town. Kirk Galvin drove the victim’s murdered body to Santa Barbara County, dumped it in a remote area, and attempted to destroy the body by setting it on fire. He then fled the scene.
On July 30, 2011, two people found Douglas Galvin’s burned body while out on a walk and contacted the police. Following an investigation by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and La Palma Police Department, Kirk Galvin was arrested Aug. 5, 2011.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
###