An 87-year-old man, Harvey Marcelin, has been convicted of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and the concealment of a human corpse following the gruesome death of 68-year-old Susan Leyden. Marcelin was found guilty on May 7, 2026, and now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison without the chance of parole.
The Crime and Investigation
The disturbing case began on February 27, 2022, when surveillance footage showed Susan Leyden entering Marcelin’s apartment building. A few days later, on March 3, 2022, Marcelin was seen wheeling a shopping cart containing a large plastic bag.
The contents of the bag were found to include parts of Leyden’s dismembered remains. A search of Marcelin’s apartment revealed more of Leyden’s body, including her head, arms, and a leg, along with cleaning supplies, a saw box, and a hammer.
Further investigation uncovered one of Leyden’s legs in a trash can near the apartment on March 7, 2022. In addition, video footage showed Marcelin purchasing an electric saw from Home Depot around the time Leyden disappeared. These pieces of evidence, along with surveillance footage, led to his conviction.
The Relationship Between Marcelin and Leyden
Marcelin and Leyden had reportedly lived at the same shelter in 2019, although the nature of their relationship was unclear. During the trial, jurors learned that Marcelin appeared to be obsessed with Leyden. He had created several Facebook accounts using her image as his profile picture, further suggesting his fixation on her.
Marcelin’s Violent History
This is not the first time Marcelin has been convicted of murder. In 1963, he was convicted of fatally shooting his girlfriend, Jacqueline Bonds. After serving time, he was paroled in 1984, only to be arrested again the following year after his then-girlfriend, Ana-Laura Sierra, was found dead in a garbage bag. Marcelin pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to prison, where he was paroled again in 2019.
District Attorney David Gonzalez commented on the case, saying, “This conviction holds the defendant accountable for the cruel and reprehensible murder of Susan Leyden.
Following the senseless murder, the defendant desecrated the victim’s remains in a manner that truly shocks the conscience. I hope Ms. Leyden’s family finds a measure of solace in this guilty verdict, which ensures this defendant will never walk free again.”
Sentencing and Final Outcome
Marcelin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2026. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for his actions, ensuring that he will not be able to harm anyone else in the future.
