Brother of man found dead in San Francisco's Westfield mall speaks out

Byby Melanie Woodrow KGO logo
Friday, August 12, 2016
Brother of man found dead San Francisco's Westfield Mall speaks out
Authorities have identified a man found dead in a private stairwell connected to the Westfield San Francisco Centre.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Authorities have identified a man found dead in a private stairwell connected to the Westfield San Francisco Centre.

The San Francisco Police Department has ruled the death of 28-year old Frank Galicia a homicide.

Galicia's family is devastated. His older brother says he had been a line cook in Boston but was intrigued by the fusion cuisine in San Francisco. He moved back home to Los Angeles briefly while interviewing for the job at Son & Daughters. When he got it, his brother said he was ecstatic.

RELATED: Man's body found in stairwell at SF's Westfield Centre

When Galicia wasn't playing music his older brother Louis says he was always in the kitchen.

"He was a kind spirit with a big heart. His way of connecting with the family was always making us a dish, making us dinner," Louis Galicia said.

Six months ago he landed his dream job, line chef at Sons & Daughters restaurant in San Francisco. Louis says Frank initially stayed in hostels. They last spoke Saturday.

"Things were finally going well for him. He found an apartment, he was dating a girl," Louis Galicia said.

Wednesday around 10 a.m. San Francisco police say someone discovered a body in a private stairwell at the Westfield mall.

"They have ruled it a homicide at this point," Louis Galicia said.

Louis Galicia can't think of anyone who would want to hurt his brother.

"He never wanted to be in any kind of altercation. He was the brother that went with the flow," Louis Galicia said. "We need to find whoever did this and bring them to justice. Any tips please, please, please report it to San Francisco PD."

Now the family's middle brother is gone.

"He was robbed of his life over something that I'm sure was petty," Louis Galicia said.

His plans for opening a restaurant with his older brother one day gone are gone as well.

"With everything else that's going wrong with the world, he was that diamond in the rough that was shining bright every day," Louis Galicia said.