By Izabella Salinas

Chino Hills- On Dec. 19, 2018, a suspect was arrested for the murder of a Chino Hills resident.

Ivan Mejia, 44, was arrested and charged for the murder of Martin Zendejas. The Chino Hills Police Department stated that Mejia attacked Zendejas and beat him to death. Mejia is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center without bail, according to public inmate records.

Authorities were called to Hotel Chino Hills on Dec. 19, 2018, after a woman ran into the hotel with blood on her clothes screaming for help, according to a Chino Hills PD press release. When police arrived on the scene a man, who was later identified as Martin Zendejas, was found with severe injuries to his head and face.

Martin Zendejas, 54, was said to be in the car with the female in the parking lot of Hotel Chino Hills moments before. Detectives later discovered that Mejia was the boyfriend of the female who was in the vehicle with Mr. Zendejas.

“Mejia pulled the victim out of his car and beat him causing the injuries that led to his death,” said the Chino Hills PD in their press release.

Martin was the brother to former NFL player Tony Zendejas. Martin, Tony, and their brother Javier managed the Zendejas restaurant in San Dimas.

A GoFundMe page was started by Tony to raise money for Martin’s funeral.

“They lost a great man, father, brother & friend. Martin Zendejas was an amazing man that was taken too soon,” according to the page. They hope to raise $25,000.

There’s an outpour of love and support for the Zendejas family in the comments on the campaign.

“So sorry for your loss, Marty was the nicest man, I really enjoyed working at the Restaurant with him a long time ago. Love and Prayers to the Zendejas Family,” commented Yolanda Falciani.

Visit gf.me/u/psbbab to donate to the campaign.