Updated at the bottom: Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck says Alkadi was trying to sell an Audi via Craigslist.

A Long Beach man today faced capital murder in the death of missing Cal State Northridge student Abdullah Alkadi. Victim and perp met on social media after Alkadi posted a car-for-sale ad, prosecutors said.

The L.A. County District Attorney's office said today that Alkadi was carjacked, robbed and killed. Those first two alleged “special circumstances” during the commission of a suspected homicide add up to a possible death penalty case.

Alkadi's body was found Thursday along the 10 Freeway near Cook Street in Palm Desert, police said.

]

The 23-year-old student was last seen about noon on Sept. 17 at his residence in the 9900 block of Reseda Boulevard in Northridge, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Prosecutors allege that 28-year-old Agustin Rosendo Fernandez used a knife in the crimes against Alkadi. According to statement from the L.A. County District Attorney's office:

Alkadi and the defendant met through a social media site after Alkadi posted his car for sale …


Prosecutors said they would decide later whether to seek the death penalty.

Fernandez was scheduled to be arraigned today. D.A.'s officials said they would request that he be held without bail.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck was expected to hold a news conference on the case today.

[Update at 5:20 p.m.]: Beck this afternoon said Alkadi was trying to sell his Audi on Craigslist when he met the suspect. He was “showing that vehicle to a prospective buyer” when he disappeared, the chief said.

Fernandez and another suspect were arrested with the vehicle Thursday, he said. 

“The investigation determined that Agustin Fernandez killed Mr. Alkadi in an attempt to keep both the Audi and the purchase price,” Beck said:

 … I think that the message for the public here is that you have to beware when using online Internet sites to sell anything. Craigslist, eBay, all the other opportunities for sales are also opportunities to let unwanted people into your lives. This happened, not the victim's fault, but with (an) absolutely tragic, tragic outcome.

With reporting from City News Service. Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow LA Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.