Search for local grad’s murderer continues

Deepa Bharath

The search continues for the man accused of murdering 23-year-old

Matt Large.

But even as 59-year-old Tommy McGuire evades arrest, the Larges

will have a memorial service for Matt at 10 a.m. Saturday at Harbor

Trinity Church in Costa Mesa.

A former Newport Harbor High School champion wrestler and a

lifetime Costa Mesan, Matt Large had mysteriously disappeared after

moving to Huntington Beach in December 2001, days before his

much-anticipated ultimate fighting match debut.

This February, detectives in the Northern California city of

Eureka found Large’s skeletal remains buried in the sand across the

bay from a boat ramp where his truck was found.

Matt’s father, Tony Large, said he and one of his sons, visited

Humboldt County last week to “bring Matty back home.”

“We had to wait for anthropological tests to be completed,” he

said.

Tony Large said those attending the memorial should consider

wearing casual attire.

“I’ll be there in my Hawaiian shirt,” he said. “That’s the way

Matt would want it.”

The family, grieving the loss of their first-born, said they will

offer a $5,000 reward for anyone who can come forward with

information that leads to McGuire’s arrest.

Huntington Beach Police are on the case, said Sgt. Gary Meza.

“We don’t know where [McGuire] is,” he said. “But we’re actively

looking for him.”

Officials say they believe McGuire is armed and dangerous and is

known to frequent Humboldt and Orange counties. He is also wanted on

suspicion of possessing explosives.

Matt Large was last seen in an Orange County apartment occupied by

McGuire and his 21-year-old son, Travis, who was a friend of Large’s,

police said. Travis McGuire reportedly died last year of unknown

medical complications in UCLA Medical Center.

Those with information are asked to call Huntington Beach Police

at (714) 536-5951 or e-mail an anonymous tip or information to

[email protected].

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].