Few Clues Found in Death of Motorcycle Messenger

Los Angeles police detectives say they have made little progress investigating the murder of a San Fernando Valley motorcycle messenger whose strangled and charred body was found last month in an alley behind a Van Nuys bar.

The dead man, Mark Grinoli, 36, of Chatsworth, was described by police at a news conference Friday as a recovering alcoholic who hung out with homeless people.

Grinoli's body was found in the early morning hours of Feb. 22.

Detectives said they believe Grinoli was strangled elsewhere and dumped in the alley, where his body was doused with flammable liquid and set ablaze. Grinoli's motorcycle was found a block away, said Detective Don Tabak.