Woman found dead was missing from L.A.

Keith Paul

Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001 | 10:48 a.m.

A California woman whose body was found earlier this month on fire near Glendale had been reported missing from Los Angeles County.

The boyfriend of Gloria Coles, 59, killed himself Wednesday as Los Angeles police entered a motel room in Los Angeles. Coles' car had been found in the parking lot, and police determined which room the car was linked to and entered, Lt. Wayne Petersen of Metro Police's homicide unit said.

Police knocked but got no answer, then entered the room, since Coles had been reported missing. As they entered they heard a gunshot, Petersen said.

Police found Coles' boyfriend of 12 years, David Chen, had killed himself. Chen also went by David Coles, but police have not been able to find any records -- driving, criminal or employment -- for him.

Police are not sure where Gloria Coles was killed, but her body was found about 4 a.m. Aug. 11 off State Route 168 near the Glendale exit of Interstate 15, about 40 miles north of Las Vegas. Her body had been set on fire and she was wrapped in a sheet.

Coles was last seen Aug. 2 at work in Los Angeles and was reported missing Aug. 6. She lived in Castaic, northeast of Los Angeles, with Chen.

Coles apparently had been dead for several days from a gunshot wound before her body was set on fire a short distance from the road, police said.