A 5-year-old boy named Elyjah Hearn was found dead in a Panorama City dumpster. An autopsy revealed 90 signs of trauma, with cause of death ruled blunt force trauma homicide. The boy's estranged mother's boyfriend, Brycson Gaddis, faces murder charges.
The cause of death for 5-year-old Elyjah Hearn has been revealed: homicide. An autopsy report released Tuesday showed the boy suffered brutal violence before his body was found in a dumpster in Panorama City.
Elyjah Anthony Hearn's naked body was discovered wrapped in a fleece blanket inside a dumpster behind 8215 Van Nuys Boulevard on July 12, 2025. A person searching for recyclables found the child, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner's report.
The autopsy findings are disturbing. Medical examiners documented 90 signs of trauma across the 5-year-old's nearly 4-foot body. The injuries included dozens of scrapes and bruises, a fractured jaw, broken rib, and extensive internal bleeding. Wounds were found in various states of healing, indicating Elyjah was repeatedly assaulted on different occasions before his death.
His cause of death was blunt force trauma. The manner of death was ruled homicide.
Brycson Malik Gaddis, 21, was arrested shortly after Elyjah's body was found. Gaddis is the estranged boyfriend of Elyjah's mother and is not the boy's biological father. Prosecutors accused Gaddis of beating Elyjah to death in an apartment in the 14500 block of Lanark Street in Panorama City on July 11, then tossing the body in the dumpster where it was found the next day.
Gaddis pleaded not guilty to murder charges. He remains in custody in lieu of $2 million bail while awaiting trial. If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
Gaddis has a criminal history that raises concerns about his fitness to be around children. Court records show he has been charged with carjacking, assault, and domestic violence in the 12 months leading up to Elyjah's death. Last April, Gaddis failed to appear in court for his scheduled trial, and a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Elyjah's grandfather, Troy Hearn, told NBC Los Angeles that Gaddis dated the boy's mother on and off for several years and accused him of stalking her.
"It's very heartbreaking for [Gaddis] to do that to my 5-year-old grandson," Hearn said. "I'm overwhelmed and so angry that I can't even explain it."
Elyjah had autism but remained determined to learn. His grandfather described the child as loving despite his challenges.
"He was autistic, but that didn't slow him down," Hearn Sr. said. "He could pick your phone up and go through it, any tablet. His speech was slow, but he understood and he was loving."
The discovery of Elyjah's brutally beaten body has sparked outrage from his family and the local community in Panorama City. A trace amount of methamphetamine was found in Elyjah's system, but investigators ruled it was not a contributing factor in his death.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement saying his office is committed to ensuring Gaddis is held responsible for his actions in what he called a "heartbreaking and horrific case."
The LAPD continues its investigation into this case. Gaddis was taken into custody in connection with the boy's death, and a second person was arrested on unrelated charges.
This article was generated with AI assistance.