San Bruno man, 77, ID’d as murder victim: Man who allegedly dismembered neighbor

The victim was identified by prosecutors Monday as 77-year-old Benjamin Roybal, who lived down the road from Stubblefield on Pacific Heights Boulevard.

Police first contacted Stubblefield at his home next to Skyline College April 6 as part of an investigation into Roybal having been reported missing March 29.

Stubblefield allegedly killed the man before dismembering the body, putting pieces in buckets and containers, then attempted to use a chemical to destroy the remains. Police uncovered what they described as a “grisly” scene around 11 a.m. Thursday at the home at the end of a cul-de-sac overlooking the community college parking lot.

Stubblefield has been charged with murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, using tear gas and destroying evidence. He appeared in court Monday, April 10, and was appointed to the private defender program, said Assistant District Attorney Al Serrato. Stubblefield’s arraignment was continued to April 24 for appearance of counsel. He has yet to enter a plea and is being held in San Mateo County Jail on $10 million bail, Serrato said.

The investigation revealed the two men were friends and that Roybal had agreed to buy a space heater from Stubblefield Saturday, March 11. But a dispute unfolded over the price of the appliance and Stubblefield allegedly shot his neighbor, Serrato said. He then dismembered the victim’s body and attempted to destroy it using some type of chemical, Serrato said.

“It is a rare event to see a defendant go to such lengths to dispose of a body in such a gruesome manner,” Serrato said.

Police reported finding body parts in Stubblefield’s backyard at 3781 Pacific Heights Blvd. as well as inside a structure on the property. Prosecutors have not revealed what type of chemical Stubblefield allegedly used in an attempt to dispose of the body.

However, the case caught the attention of firefighters and the county’s hazardous material team who were summoned Friday afternoon to the San Mateo Medical Center, which is where the Coroner’s Office conducts autopsies.

Crews in gas masks and chemical suits were called in as a precaution after the victim’s remains were transferred to the medical center. The body from the crime scene arrived in containers and had been kept in some type of fluid, said Coroner Robert Foucrault. Prior to conducting the autopsy, staff wanted the liquid to be tested to ensure they wouldn’t be exposed to something dangerous, he said. The fluid was deemed safe, although neither prosecutors nor the coroner could say what the remains had been allegedly kept in due to the ongoing investigation.

The Coroner’s Office was still working on the autopsy Monday and has not confirmed whether the entirety of the remains have been found. Foucrault said his office would be submitting DNA samples of the victim and family members to the U.S. Department of Justice to confirm the identity. San Bruno police said until the Coroner’s Office confirms the identity of the body found last week, Roybal’s missing person case will remain open.

The victim’s home at 3961 Pacific Heights Blvd. was taped off and searched as a second crime scene Thursday and Friday. It was not immediately clear what investigators were looking for at the property about a block away from where Roybal’s remains were found.

A neighbor two doors down said he believed a man who used to “buy and sell” things at a flea market lived at the address owned by Roybal.

Stubblefield is now facing two felony charges for murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm; as well as misdemeanor charges for using tear gas and destruction of evidence for attempting to dispose of the body, Serrato said. Police initially arrested Stubblefield on robbery and burglary charges as well, although prosecutors declined to file those charges Monday.

Stubblefield had two prior felony convictions in San Mateo County that made it illegal for him to possess the handgun he used to allegedly shoot the 77-year-old victim. In 1996 and 1997, Stubblefield was convicted of possession a controlled substance for sale, according to prosecutors.

If convicted of the murder charge, prosecutors said Stubblefield faces life behind bars.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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