Heartbroken family of slain Dodgers fan begs witnesses to speak out

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This photo, taken Sept. 25 and provided by Matthew Gomes, shows, from left to right, Jonathan Denver, his father, Robert Preece, and his brother Rob Preece at a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers in San Francisco. (Matthew Gomes / Associated Press)

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San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr speaks at a news conference in San Francisco. Michael Montgomery of Lodi was taken into custody shortly after the incident and will be charged in the slaying of Dodgers fan Jonathan Denver, police said. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

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An aerial view of San Francisco’s AT&T Park. A Los Angeles Dodgers fan was stabbed several blocks from the park on the night of the Dodgers-Giants Sept. 25 game. (John G. Mabanglo / EPA)

By Lee Romney

Sept. 30, 2013 8:56 AM PT

More than 40 friends and family members of a Dodgers fan slain after a Giants game in San Francisco passed out fliers and begged witnesses to Wednesday’s fatal stabbing to come forward.

Jonathan Denver’s parents, brother and aunt said information about the stabbing will help bring closure to the Denver family, as well as to the family of a 21-year-old Lodi man who was arrested and released. He has not been charged.

The family was handing out fliers, including one with a photo from the game Denver had attended on the night he was killed.

PHOTOS: Fatal stabbing of Dodgers fan

“We need your help,” says one handout. “The SFPD and district attorney’s office are seeking additional independent evidence regarding the death of our friend and family member Jonathan Denver,” it reads, asking anyone with information that “can help bring forth the truth” to contact either agency.

The Lodi man, Michael Montgomery, was arrested after the incident and booked into San Francisco County Jail on Thursday afternoon. But Dist. Atty. George Gascon late Friday sent the case back to police for further investigation, saying more witnesses needed to be interviewed to support or rule out legally justified homicide.

Police said Montgomery implicated himself in the stabbing but is said to be claiming self-defense.

Robert Preece of Alhambra, Denver’s father and a security supervisor at Dodger Stadium, said: “I also understand that the Montgomery family is likely suffering as well.” He pleaded for any witnesses to contact authorities “so that both families can have some measure of closure.”

He described losing a child as “a heartache no parent should have to endure.”

His son was a 24-year-old apprentice plumber from Fort Bragg, Calif., nicknamed “Burrito.” Denver loved his dogs, Buster and Blue, and adored his brother, Rob, who was his roommate and dear friend, his mother said.

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lee.romney@latimes.com