Space-heater tiff cited in San Bruno killing
The grisly murder and dismemberment of a San Bruno man, allegedly by his neighbor, stemmed from a dispute over the price of a used space heater, officials said.
The victim was identified by prosecutors as Benjamin Roybal, who was in his 70s and lived down the street from 50-year-old David Stubblefield, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and held in jail on $10 million bail.
Investigators searching for Roybal, who was reported missing March 29, went to Stubblefield’s home on Thursday and discovered human body parts inside his house and in the backyard.
“The dispute arose over the price of the space heater the victim had agreed to buy,” said San Mateo County Assistant District Attorney Albert Serrato.
Officers visited Stubblefield’s home on the 3700 block of Pacific Heights Boulevard in the course of searching for Roybal, San Bruno Police Chief Ed Barberini said Friday.
“While at this residence, detectives located what appeared to be a dismembered human corpse in the rear yard,” Barberini said.
He added that “a portion (of the body) was outdoors and a portion of it was in a structure.”
Roybal’s remains were found about a week after he was reported missing.
As of Tuesday morning, the San Mateo County coroner’s office had not yet positively identified the remains as Roybal’s, although prosecutors identified him publicly.
Stubblefield was interviewed by police and booked into San Mateo County Jail late Thursday night.
He made his first appearance in San Mateo County Superior Court on Monday and was appointed an attorney to represent him.
Stubblefield is scheduled to be arraigned on April 24 on charges of murder, robbery, burglary, unlawful possession and use of teargas, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.