A man whose body was found in a trash can Monday morning in southwest Colorado Springs was beaten to death, police said today.

Russell Abeyta, 54, was found dead outside his residence at 1722 Ivy Place. His death is the 19th homicide in the city this year.

His son, 32-year-old Quinton Abeyta, called police to report that a body was in a trash can. He was arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence and is being held at the El Paso County jail on suspicion of violating his parole.

Photo by