Bail of $2.25 million was set for a man suspected of killing 68-year-old Peter Bentz of Ocean Beach who vanished shortly before Thanksgiving and is now believed to be dead.
Bentz, 68, lived in the same Ocean Beach apartment complex for 23 years before he was last seen on Nov. 19 at Dog Beach. Bentz was expected to travel to San Pedro to visit family for Thanksgiving but never arrived. Relatives called police.
A missing person announcement was made and his photo was distributed to local media including the Peninsula Beacon.
San Diego Police announced last week that Brian Eleron Hancock, 47, of National City, was charged with killing Bentz. They did not give any details other than they believed Bentz had been killed.
“The investigation is continuing,” said Deputy District Attorney Genaro Ramirez on June 15.
Ramirez referred a reporter to San Diego Police for any further information. The press release says if anyone had any information about Bentz or Hancock to call them at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
One television news station said in a report that Bentz’ body has not been found. This could not be confirmed.
Hancock was arrested Jan. 23 on another case involving child endangerment. He was later charged in a separate case of possession and transportation of controlled substances. 
Hancock was re-arrested while in the Vista Detention Facility last week and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty in San Diego Superior Court. A judge set a status conference for July 12, and a preliminary hearing will be set on that date, said Ramirez.
The police press release said detectives “conducted an extensive investigation, but were unable to locate Peter.” It added this: “Developments led investigators to classify the case a homicide.”
A judge set bail for the murder at $2 million, and the remaining $25,000 bail is for the other two cases.