Coroner IDs Slain Bouncer; Suspect Released

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has identified the bouncer who died early Saturday morning after a fight with two patrons outside the bar as Torrance resident Terie Colecchi, 49.

Colecchi, a 1981 graduate of Hawthorne High School, was described by friends as a "gentle giant" and a "stand-up guy." Several of his friends are planning a benefit concert to raise money for Colecchi's 11-year-old son.

Officers from the Redondo Beach Police Department are still searching for Francisco "Frank" Cobarruvias Jr., 35. They believe the Redondo Beach resident is traveling with his three children, ages 3 to 11 years old, in a black, four-door 1999 BMW 528i with chrome rims and license plate No. 4GTT805.

Anyone with information as to Cobarruvias' whereabouts is asked to call the tip line at 310-937-6685, text 310-339-2362 or email crimetips@redondo.org. People may also contact the police department directly at 310-379-2477.

On Saturday, police arrested Alejandro Avina, 30, of Carson on suspicion of murder; however, he was released Monday "pending further investigation," according to police Sgt. Shawn Freeman.

Freeman declined to say why Avina was no longer in custody.

"He's just been released," Freeman said late Monday night. "Our investigation is still continuing."

In a conversation with Daily Breeze reporter Larry Altman, Avina denied any involvement in the incident, insisting that he was sleeping at home at the time of the fight.

Altman reported that Avina was released after prosecutors declined to file charges after hours of consultation with the District Attorney's Office. The case was sent back to the police department for further investigation, and Avina may be charged at a later date.

Police believe the fatal fight began when Colecchi refused entry to the two men because the bar was closing. Surveillance video shows him escorting the two out, then being knocked down by one of the men. Once he was on the ground, the video shows one of the men kicking Colecchi in the head.

—City News Service contributed to this report.