California Man Arrested in 41-Year-Old Newport Beach Cold Case Murder

Michael Larry Manatt, 70, is accused of the 1983 killing of Ronald Gaskey, a construction worker found bludgeoned in his home.

Ronald Gaskey, 35, was found beaten to death in his Newport Beach home on December 13, 1983, with no signs of forced entry or robbery.
Gaskey, described as highly security-conscious, was discovered by his ex-girlfriend after he failed to show up for work at his construction job.
Police reopened the case in recent years, conducting new interviews and reviewing evidence, which led to the identification of Michael Larry Manatt as a suspect.
Manatt, a 70-year-old Huntington Beach resident, was arrested on December 6, 2024, and charged with one count of murder; his bail was set at $1 million.
Authorities have not disclosed how Manatt was connected to the crime or a potential motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.