September 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–William D. Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, today announced a manhunt initiated by the San Diego Fugitive Task Force to locate Richard Dean Neff. Neff is suspected of a murder which occurred in La Mesa early yesterday morning. Neff, a transient and known drug user, according to the Sheriff’s special bulletin, is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous.
Neff is sought in connection with the beating death of Ronald Kardian in the early-morning hours of Labor Day. As a party within the 4100 block of Avoyer in La Mesa was dissipating, Neff and Kardian engaged in a fistfight, according to a Sheriff’s report. Eventually, both parties left the scene and Kardian returned to his residence in Spring Valley. Later in the morning, he complained about his injuries and was taken to Grossmont Hospital, where he died at approximately 7:00 a.m.
Neff, 47, is described as a “transient” who frequents the East County area and is a known methamphetamine user. He is known to carry a handgun in his back at all times. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 220 pounds with short brown hair, blue eyes and multiple tattoos. He may be driving a white BMW convertible.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Diego Sheriff’s Department at 858-565-5200 or speak with Detective Tsuida, homicide Detail,l at (858)974-2321 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Reference San Diego Sheriff’s case # 09058294.
Calls may be made anonymously to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477, where a reward of up to $1,000 is offered.
12 Responses
There are a few things I would like to clear up, In your article you state that as a early morning labor day party was dissipating,that Neff
and Kardian engaged in a fistfight. first of all, THEY didnt engage in
anything! Mr. Kardian was asleep on the sofa, worn out from work and
experiencing symptoms from his weekly Interferon treatments, was absolutley no threat to anyone, and he was MALICIOUSLY BRUTALIZED, without provocation, by a man whos only joy in life is to build his
own ego by appearing to be a so called shot caller. Ronnie Kardian was
a good natured, loving human being, who worked hard to make a good life
for himself, the man was going through interferon treatments and still
working 7 days a week, a man with intestinal fortitude, who was loved
by many, This is an outrage! the whole incident was orchestrated by a
few females of this house, under the guise of protecting their children??
my comment to them would be to look inward to see why they are experiencing these difficultys instead of blaming anyone or everyone else.
This was SENSELESS, SELF SERVING, BRUTAL, UNCALLED FOR,AND A WEAK ATTEMPT
TO CONTROL BY FORCE. Ronnies Kardians family was robbed, I was robbed,
The world was robbed! but most of all Ronnie was robbed! I will do whatever is in my means to make sure this PREDATOR is put where he belongs………..Kardians girlfriend
so sorry to hear of your loss at the hands of a brute. this fugitive also has restraining orders in place prior to this senseless act. anybody can look them up on the sd sheriff site. god bless the victim’s family and friends. from someone who knows what it feels like to lose someone to deliberate and selfish violence, hope they get him off the streets soon.
I am sorry for your loss. Our info was based on the Sheriff’s bulletin. We would welcome the opportunity to get your side of the story out.
Email editor@eastcountymagazine.org with yoru contact info if you would like to talk further.
I was shocked to hear about Ronnie’s death…I pray this killer will be caught soon and off the streets. My deepest regards go out to Ronnie’s family and his girlfriend. I have known Ronnie for many years and can tell you he was a sweet, fun loving man with a gentle sprit. I watched Ronnie turn his whole life around and accomplish many things that most never succeed at. The loss of my close friend has left me sad today…and angry with the person responsible for his death. I would say if you met Ronnie and never took the time to really know him….you missed out. Now is the time for God to do his work.
*************FOR RONNIE*************
Looking into your eyes
of dreams
to the silent singing
of still waters
you, caressing the smoothness
of my cheek
I knew the Love your heart
longed to sing
Of the things I promise in
lifes uncertainty
That, i’ll not let death keep our
love from living
for you are the love incessant
in my life
Your smile warmed me like
no other
And when you softly layed your
head on my breast, asking
“doese this heart beat just for me”
I looked to the sky and saw
two birds flying freely to the sun
And I had an overwhelming urge
to hold you.
As a mortal, I embraced you
in my arms,
which now cry out in their
lonely silence.
In my heart I wrap
your heart with love
And should our souls
find eternity
Theres no one
I would
rather spend eternity with
THAN YOU!
I Love you Ronnie…………Katz
Katz – Thank you for sharing this moving tribute. I’m sure you will be gratified to hear that Neff was just arrested. Details and our followup article with your interview are at this link:
http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/1902
I am a very very old friend of Ronnie. Back to the teen=age days. He will always be in my heart. May God Bless his mother.I am so sorry for the pain she must be feeling as the mother of a son myself. He will rest in peace with God now.
this whole thing makes me sick but the truth of the matter is that every one is not telling the truth including Katz account of what happened she is leaving out the part she played and people involved and I have to wounder why but I know that the truth will come out and I belive that everyone played a part in this and you all are responsible for what happened!!!
. wow , he must have changed as he was quite the hellion when I knew him,not to speak ill of the dead however Ronnie was quite a woman beater himself in his younger days. I was very him much in love with him but left for fear of being killed one day. Strange, still have thoughts about him after all these years. We were crazy.
hatlo1, why do you speak gentle of him and then blast him in another statement..what kind of person are you to say god bless his mother in one instant and then slam him in another statement…did they get to you too?
I sincerely did not attempt to BLAST Ronnie. I was only speaking the truth. That does not an anyway justify why and how he was attacked so viciously and certainly does not justify his death. I can not imagine the pain a mother would feel with the lost of a child . I am sure it is unbearable. I don’t know who “they are” however “they” did not get to me. My prayers and thoughts are with you mother of RDk
Im not sure what it is you think I am leaving out, I welcome you to attend the court proceedings that will begin January 21. I have left nothing out, and It seems that If
and I repeat If you….whoever you are…..knew something, then you would more than imply
that you do. So why dont all you big talkers, who say they know more than they obviously
do, spit out what exactly it is you think is being covered up! dont presume to know….
what you obviously DONT! I welcome any questions regarding this brutal and senseless murder
because I WAS THERE! and I am not covering up anything, I hope that every person who was
involved in this senseless act of brutality, is brought to answer for their actions! and
I will personally make sure that EVERY ONE who was involved , the person who did it, the
person who had him do it, and whoever in between is brought into the light for their dirty
little deeds. Thankfully, when I die and am standing at the gate and ST/Peter is looking in
the book to see if I get to come in..I only have to answer for what I HAVE DONE…..NOT>>>>
WHAT YOU SAY IVE DONE!. No with that said, if you….know something your not telling, it
makes me wonder why…. GROW a BACKBONE! spit it out….or are you somehow involved?