The San Francisco Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Wednesday that the dismembered body found in a suitcase on Market Street last month belongs to Omar Shahwan, the former roommate of Mark Andrus, who was a person of interest in the case.
Andrus, 59, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and later released, died Saturday, the SF Public Defender's Office confirmed Sunday. The DA said last week there was insufficient evidence to charge Andrus on suspicion of murder in the case.
Shahwan, 58, is a Vallejo resident. The cause and manner of his death is yet to be announced.
In a statement, Shahwan's family said, "We are devastated at the loss of our dear son and brother. He had a kind and caring heart. We love him and miss him so much. The Lord is our refuge and strength in this terrible time."
Omar Shahwan's father Ali Shahwan told NBC Bay Area on Feb. 4 that it was a "shame" Andrus had been released from jail because he had been suspicious of him all along. Shahwan had feared that it was his son's torso that was found in the suitcase.
Shahwan said his son lived with Andrus at a San Francisco hotel for two years between 2008 and 2010. According the to Chronicle, city records show Andrus and Shahwan lived together in 2010 in the Krupa Hotel and filed lawsuits after apparently fearing eviction.
Reports said Omar Shahwan was last seen by his family on Jan. 21 and that he took public transportation to San Francisco.
Andrus was arrested and booked at the San Francisco County Jail on Jan 31. After his release from jail on Feb. 3, his public defender Jeff Adachi told media that his office would assist Andrus with a place to stay.
Officers detained Andrus Jan. 30 at the Sala Burton Manor apartment building, located at 430 Turk Street, less than a mile from where the suitcase with a headless human torso was found, after acting on an anonymous tip.
The suitcase was found on 11th Street near Market, just one block from Twitter's headquarters. Police then made another gruesome discovery shortly after when they uncovered more body parts within a three-block radius.
Police and the District Attorney's Office said last week they would continue to investigate the case and work to find information that proves a link between Andrus and the body in the suitcase.
