Man arrested in death of live-in girlfriend, 30, in West Hollywood

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a man in connection with the death of his 30-year-old live-in girlfriend in West Hollywood.

The incident began as a missing person case, when the woman's mother called out of concern that she hadn't seen her daughter for a day or two, according to the sheriff's department.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to the 8500 block of Holloway Drive on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to check on her.

"Once there, they heard noises in the apartment, and were concerned for the welfare of the missing person," said sheriff's Lt. Dave Coleman. "They forced entry, encountered a male, our suspect, who was uncooperative, wouldn't let them in."

The suspect had barricaded the door of the apartment with furniture, but deputies forced their way inside, searched and found a deceased woman in a bedroom. She had apparently suffered blunt force trauma to the head, Coleman said.

The couple, who lived together, had an infant child, officials said. The baby is safe with family members, but officials would not say if the child was home at the time of the incident.

The woman was identified as Iana Kasian, 30.

The suspect, identified as Blake Leibel, 35, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

According to sheriff's officials, Leibel was arrested by LAPD just last week on a felony rape charge. He was out on bail at the time of Kasian's killing.

The victim in the rape case was not known.

The sheriff's department asked anyone with more information to call the Homicide Bureau at (323)890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.