Arrest over writer's decapitation

Robert Lees was blacklisted during the McCarthy era

A US man has been arrested after a 91-year-old screenwriter was beheaded and his neighbour stabbed to death.

Robert Lees, who wrote dozens of films including Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and retired doctor Morley Engelson, 67, were found on Sunday.

Police found the head of Mr Lees at the back of Mr Engelson's Los Angeles home.

A homeless man, Kevin Lee Graff, 27, was arrested on Monday after Paramount studio guards recognised him from a police press broadcast.

A homeless man, Kevin Lee Graff, has been accused of the murders

Mr Graff had been turned away from the gates of the studio after asking for the telephone number of a female employee and acting oddly.

Mr Engelson had been booking an aeroplane ticket by telephone when he was attacked. The sales operator reported hearing a disturbance and police were called.

Police chief William Bratton said: "We believe Graff is responsible for the brutal murders of Robert Lees and Morley Engelson."

Mr Bratton said the motive for the killings was not known and detectives had not established whether Mr Graff knew the victims.