Alexander Schecter, 26, a Santa Monica man facing felony kidnapping and sexual assault charges, was found dead Monday evening, Oct. 5, in the 800 block of San Vicente Boulevard.

Schecter appears to have taken his own life the day before a scheduled court hearing, according to the Santa Monica Police Department. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as suicide, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Officers responded about 5:50 p.m. after a family member reported Schecter unconscious and not breathing, SMPD spokesperson Lewis Gilmour said. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel also responded and pronounced Schecter dead at the scene.

"The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has identified him as Alexander Schecter, 26," Gilmour said, according to MyNewsLA.

Gilmour said there was no indication of foul play.

Schecter had been out on bond and was due in court Tuesday, Oct. 6, for a preliminary hearing at the Airport Courthouse, according to court records cited by the Times.

Charges in the case

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office had charged Schecter with one felony count of kidnapping to commit another crime and one felony count of first-degree residential robbery. He also faced two felony counts of forcible oral copulation and one felony count of forcible rape. He would have faced up to 37 years to life in state prison if convicted.

Prosecutors alleged Schecter kidnapped a female UCLA student on March 8 in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue in Westwood. He allegedly prevented her from exiting his vehicle and threatened violence. The student was able to exit approximately half a mile away on the 400 block of Gayley Avenue, according to the DA's office.

Prosecutors also alleged Schecter sexually assaulted a woman in Culver City at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2025.

UCLA Police arrested Schecter on March 12 after identifying him as the suspect in the Westwood kidnapping. During that investigation, he was also identified as the suspect in the Culver City assault, according to the DA's office.

Schecter pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on May 4 at the Airport Branch Courthouse. His bail was set at $700,000, but was raised to $1.4 million.

Statements after the death

Schecter's defense attorney, Debra S. White, said in a statement that the case "raises a broader question" about prosecutorial conduct, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.

Schecter's family, in a statement provided through his attorney to the Times, said Schecter had autism spectrum disorder and anxiety. The family said the evidence was "more complicated than the headlines suggested" and criticized Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman's handling of the case.

Deputy District Attorney Matthew Bunnett of the Sex Crimes Division had been prosecuting the case.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.