Crime & Safety

Robert Rainey May Have Been Killed During a Robbery

Chiropractor Robert Rainey's body was discovered in his Venice Boulevard office by one of his patient's shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday, with his wallet missing.

Police are looking into whether 54-year-old Culver City resident Robert Rainey during a robbery, after his wallet was discovered missing, reports CBS2.

Rainey - the brother of Los Angeles Times media critic James Rainey and son of the late actor Ford Rainey - was discovered by one of his patients who arrived at Rainey’s office at 9225 Venice Boulevard on the Culver City border for a scheduled appointment shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday.

Police officers who arrived on the scene discovered Rainey’s body on the floor, “suffering from a severe head trauma,” according to LAPD Officer Bruce Borihanh.

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CBS is reporting that according to police Rainey also had a broken jaw and missing teeth when he was found.

Rainey was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

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"This doctor seems to be very well known by the community, had no enemies, his employees liked him, so there is no known motive for this crime," LAPD Detective John Radtke told CBS2.

One person posted on their twitter account: "A homeless man cried as he learned of the beating death of LA Chiropractor Robert Rainey. Says he was kind & gave him $."

Rainey's own twitter account - @LAChiropractor - was still online at 7:30 a.m. Friday. His final tweet was at 8:46 a.m. on May 29, when he wrote: "Saw palmetto does not work, even at 2x, 3x normal dosing, according to new study http://ping.fm/65tIZ"

Rainey was also a member of a group of trail runners known as the Santa Monica Mountain Goats, which runs a different Santa Monica Mountain trail every Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. Tributes to him are pouring in on his personal Facebook page, which was still active as of 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, and the Mountain Goat Page.

Shortly after  hearing the news the group posted the following:

Dearest Goats, terrible news... a member of our herd has been stolen from us. Robert Rainey you will be missed.

Other Facebook comments included:

Oh no, that is horrible. Not ony was he a goat but i knew himand his family as kids in malibu.

Oh my god! Oh my god! Peggy..we are here for you. We love you so much! Robert, the goats won't be the same without you. Prayers...

One member of the group posted:

As I receive updates, I will post them. For those who plan to attend the Grad run, please be sure you receive one of the black bandanas that Tony is bringing (or feel free to bring your own). In honor of our fallen Goat, Robert Rainey, please wear the bandana on your wrist or arm during the run. Afterwards, everyone who knew Robert will be encouraged to speak a few words about him. Then food and awards. Final reminder: it is imperative for you to RSVP so there will be enough bandanas, thank you.

Police still have no lead on any suspects. Anyone with information should contact the LAPD West Bureau Homicide Unit at (213) 382-9470 or (877) LAPD-24-7.

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