Investigation continues after suspect in dismembered body case dies

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - A source with the San Francisco Police Department on Monday told KTVU 54-year-old Mark Andrus died of gastrointestinal bleeding and shock Saturday after checking into a hospital.

Andrus was the suspect in the death of an unidentified man whose headless, handless body was found in a suitcase last month in San Francisco. That police source told KTVU investigators do not believe Andrus acted alone.

"Our investigation will continue; we still have an active homicide investigation. Of course, we have unanswered questions," said San Francisco Police Department Sgt. Monica Macdonald. "We're still trying to locate the other body parts. However, I don't know that there's a daily search going on in any part of the city or any specific location."

For now, the San Francisco Medical Examiner's office is working with help from the California Department of Justice to identify the headless and handless victim. "It all takes time, and that's a problem with this investigation- getting all this stuff together and just waiting (until) we get the information," said Macdonald.

Andrus was freed from jail Tuesday night after prosecutors declined to file charges in the case, citing a lack of evidence. His brother Jon Andrus in Spokane, Washington told KTVU Monday that he had not been in touch with him since his release.

Public Defender Jeff Adachi said he dropped Andrus off that night at a hotel and told KTVU Andrus said that wanted to continue to live in San Francisco.

Mark Keever said his friend was living back on the streets Friday when he stopped by his apartment building to borrow a sleeping bag, food and water. "You know, he seemed, maybe a little sad, he was in jail for a couple days, and just he took off, said bye, I'll see you later," said Keever.

Former San Francisco Police Chief Tony Ribera said homicide investigators must now rely heavily on forensic work and interviews to close the case.

"Retracing activities, talking to people," said Ribera. "Trying to find a path that leads to the murder of the individual."