Monrovia Man Pleads Not Guilty to Capital Murder of Amanda Custer

By FabiolaDiaz

Robert Anthony Camou, a 28-year-old from Monrovia, pleaded notguilty on Oct. 10 to a capital murder charge that alleges he killed hisgirlfriend, Amanda Kathleen Custer, who disappeared in late July. Prosecutorshave not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty in the case.

Investigators believe Custer was taken by Camou against her willon the morning of July 29 from a Monrovia residence.

The murder charge against Camou includes the special-circumstance allegationof killing a witness, along with an allegation that he was out on bail when hecommitted the crime.

Camou was initially charged on May 29 with one felony count eachof first-degree burglary, person present; injuring a girlfriend; and assault bymeans of force likely to produce great bodily injury. The charges also includeone misdemeanor count of battery. According Deputy District Attorney MelanieDrew, Camou was initially charged after he allegedly tried to strangle Custerand threatened her with a Taser on April 22.

Custer sought refuge in a nearby residence and Camou allegedlybattered the elderly man inside the residence who tried to intervene, accordingto the District Attorney’s Office.

Camou was out on bail in connection with these charges at the timeof Custer’s disappearance, according to the DA’s Office.

In August, the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department and Amanda’s father, Rick Custer, held a joint press conference asking for the public’s help in locating Amanda.

During that press conference, Lt. Scott Hoglund said witnesses sawCamou place Amanda’s lifeless body into the trunk of a Toyota Prius. Blood anda digging tool were later found inside the trunk by detectives.

Custer, a single mother of an 8-year-old, had filed court papersin February seeking a restraining order against Camou, which she obtained onApril 22.

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