April 17, 1992

Victim: Jackson Jones, 50

Date: April 17, 1992

Address: 4100 Colts Way

Synopsis: On April 27, 1992 at about midnight, Yellow Cab driver Jackson Jones was dispatched to 4560 60th, Street, apartment #6 in San Diego to pick up a fare. Jones was not heard from after being dispatched. About thirty minutes later, a citizen flagged down a police officer and told the officer he had seen a driver of a taxi cab slumped over the wheel of his cab at 4100 Colts Way. Officers responded to the scene and located Jones seated in the driver’s seat of his cab. Jones had been shot in the head and he died at the scene.The occupants of the apartment on 60th Street were contacted. They denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, the murder and they were subsequently eliminated as suspects. The shooter may have been familiar with the area and used the address as a ruse to bring the cab there for the purpose of robbing the driver.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sand

March 4, 1992

Victim: Maria Cortes

Date: March 4, 1992

Address: 7500 Mission Valley Road
Synopsis: Maria Cortes was a Mexican national who worked as a housekeeper and child care provider. She had a two-year-old daughter named Briana. Those close to Cortes described her as a devoted mother and a hard worker, dedicated to making a better life for Briana and becoming a legal citizen herself. Cortes had no car and used buses for transportation, often riding two or more buses in one trip and sometimes walking alone at night to get home from work.

Cortes was last seen alive at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night, March 3, 1992, when she picked up Briana after work at a relative’s house in East San Diego. Maria may have been on her way by bus to Linda Vista to attend a weekly sewing class at the Bayside Settlement House.

At about 7:15 the following morning, SDPD officers responded to a citizen’s report of a child sitting on top of what appeared to be a body in an open field at 7500 Mission Valley Road. When officers arrived they found Cortes’ body lying in a muddy field behind a shopping center. She had been strangled to death and stabbed in the groin. Sitting on top of her body was her daughter Briana – crying and suffering from hypothermia but essentially unharmed physically. Briana ran into the arms of a female police officer when officers approached.

A friend said that Cortes had a habit of sometimes accepting rides from strangers as a way to avoid the long bus rides she normally faced every day.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sand

February 29,1992

Victim: Angela Kleinsorge

Date: February 29, 1992

Address: 5600 Gaines Street
Synopsis: Mrs. Angela Kleinsorge was an 84-year-old woman who lived alone in a detached, single-family residence on 5600 Gaines Street in the Mission Valley West / Morena area. Mrs. Kleinsorge was last known to be alive on February 28, 1992, when she spoke to her daughter on the phone. The following morning, the daughter went to Mrs. Kleinsorge’s home to check on her, and discovered Mrs. Kleinsorge dead. Mrs. Kleinsorge had been sexually assaulted and stabbed to death. The evidence indicated that the unknown suspect entered Mrs. Kleinsorge’s home through a window and attacked her.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sand

February 2, 1992

Victim: Richard Anthony Martin Jr.

Date: February 2, 1992

Address: 4500 University Avenue
Synopsis: On the evening of February 2, 1992 the victim Richard Martin was walking westbound on the north sidewalk of 4500 University Avenue. Two black male juveniles walking down Chamoune Avenue turned westbound onto University Avenue so that they were walking directly behind Martin. Witnesses saw the young men pass Martin, and then saw one of the men turn and punch Martin in the face and yell, “You shouldn’t have messed with us.” The witnesses did not see Martin say or do anything to provoke the attack. The punch to the face caused Martin to fall and hit his head on the pavement, subsequently causing his death.

The suspects were described as follows: the male who punched Martin was described as a black male, 16-17 yrs. old, 5’11” tall with a thin build and short dark hair, wearing a dark jacket with red trim. The second male was described as a black male, 16-17 yrs. old, 5’1” tall with a thin build and neck length braided hair, wearing a dark watch cap, black sweater, and back pants.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

December 21, 1991

Victim: Jafar Barzanjy (photo not available)

Date: December 21, 1991

Address: 7000 Akins Avenue
Synopsis: Jafar Barzanjy, a cab driver, was shot and killed in his cab during an apparent robbery.

On the night of December 21, 1991, Barzanjy was involved in an altercation that started when several customers left without paying a taxi fare. Barzanjy was so angry and upset over the incident that his supervisor told him to go home for the night to calm down. However, Barzanjy ignored the advice and instead went back out in his cab to try and regain his lost earnings.

Later that night, a fellow cab driver saw Barzanjy pick up two or three men in the area of Hotel Circle. The driver had earlier refused to give these men a ride because they were acting suspiciously. However, Barzanjy accepted them as fares. A short time later, residents in the area of 7000 Akins heard gunshots and found Barzanjy suffering from a gunshot wound, slumped in the driver’s seat of his cab which had rolled to a stop in the middle of the street. A witness saw a black male get out of the cab after the shots were fired and flee on foot.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

August 31, 2000

Victim: Terri Lynn Bistodeau

Date: August 5, 1991

Address: 5367 Geneva Avenue
Synopsis: On August 5, 1992 officers were dispatched to a residence on Geneva Street to investigate a murder after the property owner discovered the tenant dead in her bedroom. The victim was 39-year-old Terry Lynn Bistodeau. The investigation revealed that Bistodeau had been strangled to death.

A family member said that Bistodeau had been in a violent relationship with a Hispanic male known as “Shorty” true name Anthony Bustamonte. Detectives attempted to locate and interview Bustamonte but he disappeared after Bistodeau’s murder and could not be found. In October 1994, Bustamonte was deported to Mexico, but detectives did not learn about the deportation until it was too late and he was already in Mexico.

Bustamonte is a person of interest in this case and detectives would like to interview him regarding the murder of Bistodeau. Bustamonte, who also uses the name Alfredo Hernandez, is a Hispanic male, 5’4” 140 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 6-1-56. He has the name “Santos” tattooed on his right arm and a tattoo with the word “Mom” on his left hand.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

June 28, 1991

Fugitive Suspect


Fugitive Suspect
Victim: Fabian Rodriguez

Date: June 28, 1991

Address: Chamoune Avenue
Synopsis: The victim, Fabian Rodriguez, and the suspect, Jaime Gonzalez, lived next door to one another on Chamoune Ave. in East San Diego. On June 27, 1991, several men, including Rodriguez and Gonzalez, were sitting outside of Rodriguez' home drinking alcohol. An argument started between the neighbors which culminated in Gonzalez threatening to kill Rodriguez. The following morning, Gonzalez went to Rodriguez' home with a handgun, confronted Rodriguez and shot him to death. Investigators believe that Gonzalez fled to Mexicali, Mexico after the murder with his friend Santiago Torres.

Jaime Alvarez Gonzalez (pictured above) is 5'2" tall with a dark complexion, dark brown hair and brown eyes. He weighed about 170lbs. at the time of the murder. His hair was neck length and wavy, he had a mustache, and spoke English with an accent. He also has tattoos of a peacock and a lady on his right arm. Gonzalez sometimes works as a disc jockey for private parties. Gonzalez should be considered dangerous and there is an arrest warrant charging him with murder.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

June 8, 1991

Victim: Lori Ann Mooney, age 29

Date: June 8, 1991

Address: 4425 Bannock Avenue
Synopsis: On June 8, 1991 a man out for his early morning walk discovered the body of Lori Ann Mooney at the North Clairemont Friendship Senior Center at 4400 Bannock Avenue. Officers discovered that Lori had been shot once in the head.

Lori Mooney was a resident of Clairemont and up until the time of her death she had been a regular in the area of the senior center. She was often seen riding around the neighborhood on her Suzuki motorcycle.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on
this website, or any other San Diego homicide case,
we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police
Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail
the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

January 3, 1991

Victim: Larry Beyers, 43

Date: January 3, 1991

Address: 2100 East Harbor
Synopsis: Larry Beyers was employed as a guard by Allied Security and was working the late night shift in Lot 5 at Southwest Marine. On the night of January 3, 1991, two men attacked Beyers while he was making his rounds. The men beat and robbed Beyers and then shot him.

Beyers told officers that two men approached
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

December 5, 2000

Victim: Willie Hamilton Jr, Age 48

Date: December 5, 2000

Address: 5000 Reynolds Street
Synopsis: On December 5, 2000 in the early evening 48-year-old Willie Hamilton was knocked to the ground and attacked by two males. Hamilton was kicked and beaten and sustained a closed head injury consistent with being hit with some type of blunt object. He died on April 1, 2001 as a result of his injuries.
Hamilton had a history of mental illness but he was considered friendly and well-liked by neighbors. He was also well-known in his neighborhood because he ran a business of selling incense and pictures on street corners in the neighborhood.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

October 13, 2000

Victim: Josh Ayala

Date: October 13, 2000

Address: 3030 30th Street
Synopsis: Joshua David Ayala, 19, was killed in front of an apartment building at 3030 30th Street on October 13, 2000, while talking with friends. SDPD Homicide detectives would like to interview anyone that has information about the incident and/or information about those responsible for the murder.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 9, 2000

Victim: Andrew Moore

Date: September 9, 2000

Address: 1347 Eighth Avenue
Synopsis: Andy Moore was a chef at a local restaurant and a full-time student at San Diego City College. He was last seen alive on Saturday evening, September 9, 2000, inside his apartment at 1347 Eighth Avenue in the East Village. Moore was entertaining a group of visitors, two women and a man, whose identities are unknown. Several days later, Moore was found murdered inside his apartment. A set of expensive Russell culinary knives was missing from Moore's apartment. Also missing was Moore's red 1994 Suzuki Katana motorcycle. The motorcycle was recovered a month after the murder parked at 24th & 'C' Streets in Golden Hill. It is likely that the suspect(s) kept the motorcycle and continued to ride it for several weeks after the murder.
Investigators want to identify and interview the man and two women who were visiting Moore's apartment on Saturday night. Investigator's also want to identify a black male and a white female, possibly driving a white Volkswagen Rabbit or similar white sub-compact car, who are persons of interest in the investigation.

There is a Governor's Reward of $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Andrew Moore.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

August 31, 2000

Victim: Sergio Sprandel

Date: August 31, 2000

Address: 8657 Villa La Jolla Drive
Synopsis: On August 31, 2000, Sergio Sprandel was killed with a gunshot to the head in a deserted area of the parking lot of the La Jolla Village Square shopping center. Customers leaving the mall at about 10:20 p.m. saw his body lying on the ground next to his Chevrolet Blazer and called 911.
Sprandel was last seen alive by his girlfriend earlier that evening at the apartment they shared on Nobel Drive, as Sprandel was leaving to meet an acquaintance. At the time, Sprandel was carrying a large amount of money; however, the money was missing when his body was found.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

July 14, 2000

Victim: Robert Edward Belton, age 59

Date: July 14, 2000

Address: 3411 Ashford Street
Synopsis: On the evening of July 14, 2000 officers went to check on the resident at 3411 Ashford Street. Upon their arrival, the officers were met by neighbors who said they had not seen the resident, Robert Belton, for several days and were concerned about his well-being.
The officers subsequently forced entry into the house and discovered Belton inside dead. Belton had been beaten to death with a blunt object.

Belton’s 2000 Chevrolet pick-up truck was missing from the residence. It was later recovered.


If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

January 24, 2000

Victim: Jane Doe

Date: January 24, 2000

Address: 6100 El Cajon Blvd.
Synopsis: On January 24, 2000, shortly after midnight, SDPD officers responded to the parking lot of the College Avenue Baptist Church at 6100 El Cajon Boulevard regarding a fire. When the officers arrived they found a body totally engulfed in flames. The victim was dead and no identification could be made.

A subsequent autopsy revealed the victim was a white female in her 20s, 5’9” to 5’10” and 190 - 200 lbs, with light brown hair. The woman had been stabbed and strangled to death. In addition, both of her hands and a portion of her left calf were missing, presumably cut off by the suspect to prevent authorities from identifying her.

The victim has never been identified.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 18, 1999

Fugitive Suspect


Fugitive Suspect: Alfredo Muñoz Yanez (aka "Scarface")

Date: September 18, 1999

Address: 4300 Newton Avenue
Synopsis: The suspect Alfredo Muñoz Yanez is wanted for the murder of 15-year-old Wilberto Rodriguez that occurred on September 18, 1999 at 4300 Newton Avenue. There is an outstanding felony arrest warrant charging Yanez with murder.

The victim Wilberto Rodriguez was a guest at a quinceañera where numerous juveniles were in attendance when he became involved in an altercation with the suspect Yanez. Yanez pulled a gun and fired several shots at the victim. A second suspect was also armed and also fired several shots. Rodriguez was struck in the leg and chest. He was transported to the hospital where he later died of his wounds. One suspect was apprehended and one suspect, Yanez, remains at large.

Yanez, aka “Scarface” is a Hispanic male born 5-02-79. At the time of the incident, Yanez was described as being 5’9” tall and 158 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Yanez reportedly fled to Mexico following the shooting.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 3,1999

Victim: Jane Darby

Date: September 3, 1999

Address: 3919 Mason Street
Synopsis: Jane Darby was found by her son apparently strangled to death in her home in the early morning hours of September 3, 1999.

On the night of September 2, 1999 Darby went to a bar and came home with an unknown white male. Darby brought the man into her room and closed the door. Darby’s adult son, who lived with her, left the house as he always did when Darby brought someone home. Later, the son returned and found his mother dead and the male gone.

Darby’s companion was described as a white male in his mid-thirties, approximately 6’3” 200 lbs., with a stocky build, light brown/dirty blonde hair, mustache, and with a multi-colored tattoo on his chest (possibly a tattoo of a dragon). The male might have been carrying a fake Colorado driver’s license.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

February 26, 1999

Victim: Susan Eleanor Cohen, 53

Date: February 26, 1999

Address: 3800 Riley Street
Synopsis: On the morning of February 26, 1999, officers responded to 3800 Riley Street to investigate a foul odor coming from a parked Dodge van. Inside the van, the officers found the body of 53-year-old Susan Cohen, who had been strangled to death.

According to witnesses, the van had been parked in the same spot for at least two weeks. During that time, several young white females and a dark-complected male (possibly Middle-Eastern) were seen loitering next to the van on several occasions.

Cohen had lived and frequented Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach for many years. She was known to people on the street as “Susie.” Cohen sometimes lived on the street herself, and sometimes stayed with friends or lived in vehicles. Cohen and her friends were regular visitors at the Viejas Indian Casino and the Sycuan Gaming Casino. Cohen was also peripherally involved in the drug world, occasionally using methamphetamine and/or dealing in small quantities.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

January 14, 1999

Victim: Sherman Jennings

Date: January 14, 1999

Address: 4100 C Street
Synopsis: Sherman Jennings was a driver for the Yellow Cab Taxi Company.

At about 3:30 a.m. on January 14, 1999, a resident living at 4100 C Street was leaving for work when he noticed a Yellow Cab, apparently abandoned, parked across the street. The resident found the driver, Sherman Jennings, slumped forward in his seat. When the police arrived they discovered Jennings had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his head.

Records from Yellow Cab indicated that the last call Jennings received was at 10:28 p.m. from a person identifying himself as Kevin Brown. The call was placed from a pay phone at the Euclid trolley station. Jennings probably picked up the fare at around 10:36 p.m., based on his meter activation. Nothing further was heard from Jennings until his body was found on C Street several hours later.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 13,1998

Fugitive Suspect: Chang Chi Kao (aka "Gripper")

Date: September 13, 1998

Address: 6537 Bell Bluff Avenue

Synopsis: The suspect Chang Chi Kao is wanted for the murder of 19-year-old David Dobson that occurred on September 13, 1998 at 6537 Bell Bluff Avenue. There is an outstanding felony arrest warrant charging Kao with murder.

On the evening of September 13, 1998, a crowd of young people was attending a party on Bell Bluff Avenue in San Carlos. The crowd had spilled outside and onto the sidewalk and street where everyone was drinking and talking. A slow-moving car went by the group and one of the party-goers made a kicking motion at the car as it passed, thinking it was his friend’s car. The car sped off but later returned with several more cars, each car filled with Asian teenagers who were gang members. The gang members picked Dobson out of the group and attacked him in retaliation for the kicking incident (he was not the kicker). Dobson was repeatedly beaten and then shot, and subsequently died of his injuries.

Several other suspects have been arrested and convicted for this murder. Kao is the last outstanding suspect.

Kao is an Asian male born 2-17-80. He is 5’10” and weighs 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Kao has tattoos on the right side of his back and on his right upper arm. He is known to associate with Laotion-American gang members and has contacts in neighborhoods in southeastern San Diego and in the North County.







If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 9, 1998

Victim: Tilda J. Phipps, age 40

Date: September 9, 1998

Address: 500 Coast Blvd.


Synopsis: On September 9, 1998, officers responded to a report of a traffic collision on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. Upon arrival, they discovered the victim, Tilda Phipps, unresponsive and seated in the driver’s seat of her red Ford Mustang that had crashed into the front yard of a residence. At first Phipps’s injuries were believed to have been caused by the collision, however, a secondary examination revealed that Phipps had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. She died a short time later.

Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the sound of a gunshot just before Phipps’s Mustang crashed.

Phipps was outgoing and made friends easily, and she was well-known in the La Jolla area for her good looks and flamboyant personality.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at ddolan@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 9, 1998

Fugitive Suspect

Fugitive Suspect: Abdi Adan

Date: September 9, 1998

Address: 4900 University Avenue
Synopsis: Abdi Adan is wanted for the murder of his sister-in-law, Tigist Mohammed, that occurred at 4900 University Avenue on September 9, 1998. There is an outstanding felony arrest warrant charging Abdi Adan with murder.
Mohammed, along with her two sisters, were walking up Winona Avenue in San Diego when they were confronted by the suspect, Adan, who appeared to be very angry. Mohammed fled from Adan by running up University Avenue. Adan chased Mohammed out into oncoming traffic where she was struck by a car. Adan caught up to Mohammed and stabbed her multiple times in the torso and neck. Mohammed was taken to the hospital where she died a short time later. Adan was last seen running northbound on 50th Street.

The suspect, Adan, is a 39-year-old Somalian male, 5,7” approximately 160 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes. He may have fled the United States since the murder. Adan is known to be violent when drinkingIf you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team atakjohnson@pd.sandiego.gov.

August 31, 1998

Victim: Lawrence Smith

Date: August 31, 1998

Address: 7700 Paradise Valley Road

Synopsis: On Aug 31, 1998, at about 8:20 p.m., SDPD officers respond to a radio call of a shooting at Deep Dell and Paradise Valley Road. When the officers arrived, they found the body of the victim, Lawrence Smith, 16, in the middle of the street at 7700 Paradise Valley Road.

Witnesses told officers they had seen a man with a gun chase Lawrence out of the Meadowbrook Apartments into the street on the north side of 7800 Paradise Valley Road. The suspect caught up to Smith and shot him three or four times. Smith fell into the street and was run over by a passing vehicle. The suspect, a black male 17-20 years old wearing dark clothing, ran southbound on Deep Dell and then eastbound on Prairie Mound Way.

The driver who ran over Smith stopped at the scene, attempted to render aid and gave a statement to police.

Smith had rehabilitated himself after some earlier brushes with the law. He was working, going to school and, according to loved ones, was looking forward to a bright futureIf you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team atakjohnson@pd.sandiego.gov.

June 27 , 1998

Victim: David Scott Barnwell, 30 (aka Paul Moyers)

Date: June 27, 1998

Address: 6300 Sullivan Avenue
Synopsis: David Scott Barnwell was shot and killed in front of his residence by an unknown suspect.

According to witnesses, the suspect was driving a newer white 4-door Ford Explorer with tinted windows back and forth in the neighborhood where Barnwell lived. When Barnwell saw the suspect, he walked up to the driver’s side of the vehicle, whereupon the suspect got out of the vehicle and shot Barnwell several times. The suspect then got back into the vehicle and drove away eastbound on Sullivan Avenue.

Witnesses gave contradictory descriptions of the suspect. One witness said the shooter was a white male dressed in a light shirt and light pants. Another witness saw the vehicle leave the area with two Latino male occupants wearing T-shirts. A third witness saw a Latino male with short dark hair, wearing a blue uniform.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at akjohnson@pd.sandiego.gov.

April,9 1998

Victim: Rodney Leidig, age 18

Date: April 9, 1998

Address: 300 Treewood Street
Synopsis: Rodney Leidig and two friends were standing on the sidewalk on the south side of 300 Treewood Street, when two suspects began shooting at them from the yard of a house on the corner of Treewood and Sweetwood. Leidig and his friends immediately took off running westbound, at which point Leidig was hit and went down. Leidig’s friends ran to a neighbor’s house for help. They then returned to the area to check on Leidig and found him lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. They were trying to load Leidig into their car to take him to the hospital when the first police officers, responding to a radio call of shots fired, arrived at the scene. Paramedics responded, but by the time they arrived Leidig had passed away.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

July 11,1997

Victim: Heidi Hall

Date: July 11, 1997

Address: 4473 Ohio Street

Synopsis: Heidi Hall lived alone in an apartment on Ohio Street and worked part-time as an exotic dancer.

On July 11, 1997, a landlord entered Hall’s apartment to check on her after neighbors voiced concerns about not seeing her for several days. Hall had been strangled to death. The neighbor found Hall’s body lying on her bed in an advanced state of decomposition.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

March 15, 1997

Suspect


Victim: Carmen Estrada

Fugitive Suspect: Luis Galindo

Date: March 15, 1997

Address: 4125 El Cajon Blvd.

Synopsis: Luis Eduardo Galindo is wanted for the murder of Carmen Estrada and her unborn baby. The murder occurred on March 15, 1997; there is an outstanding felony warrant charging Galindo with two counts of murder.

Luis Galindo, also known as “Freddy” D.O.B. 11-29-72, is a Hispanic male, 5’7” tall and weighing 155 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and worked in the construction trade.

The incident for which Galindo is wanted occurred on March 15, 1997. Galindo, his pregnant girlfriend Carmen Estrada and a group of their friends had met up at the Vallerta Bar and Grill at 4125 El Cajon Boulevard. There, Galindo and Estrada became involved in an argument because Galindo wanted to go drinking in Tijuana with a friend. Galindo and Estrada walked outside. Galindo suddenly grabbed Estrada by the neck and dragged her around the corner into an alley. According to a witness, Galindo whispered something into Estrada’s ear, then produced a .45 revolver and shot her in the head at point blank range.

Galindo then fled, leaving Estrada to die in the alley. He has not been seen since. Estrada was still conscious when the first bystanders rushed to her side. She identified “Freddy” as her attacker and asked that her son be looked after. A short time later she passed away, along with her unborn baby.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

November 6 ,1996

Victim: Brian Forrest

Date: November 6, 1996

Address: East alley 3900 Sequoia Street

Synopsis: Brian Forrest, a waiter at a local restaurant, was found beaten to death in an alley in Pacific Beach at about 10:30 in the morning on November 6, 1996. Forrest had succumbed to massive blunt force trauma to the back of his head, cracked ribs and a broken spine. There were no known witnesses to the attack on Forrest. Several persons had walked through the alley about an hour before and told detectives that Forrest’s body had not been there at that time.

Forrest was last seen alive by friends at a late-night poker game the evening before. After the game ended, Forrest took off by himself and was not seen again until the discovery of his body the following morning.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

May 8, 1996

Victim #1: Tsunao Saitoh, age 46

Victim #2: Loullie Saitoh, age 13

Date: May 8, 1996

Address: 7000 Fairway Road

Synopsis: Dr. Tsunao Saitoh was an accomplished and well-respected research neuroscientist at UCSD. On May 8, 1996 at about 11:00 p.m., Dr. Saitoh and his 13-year-old daughter, Loullie, returned home from the research lab on campus. As their car pulled up to the front of their home, an unknown suspect or suspects ambushed Dr. Saitoh and his daughter in the driveway, shooting and killing them both. Neighbors heard the gunshots and passers-by found the bodies a short time afterward. Dr. Saitoh was slumped over in the car and Loullie had run a short distance before being gunned down.

Numerous .380 caliber casings were found in the driveway and street where the gunshots were fired. Based on a ballistics analysis of these casings, the murder weapon was identified as a Grendel P-12 .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a gun manufactured in limited quantities.

The Grendel P-12 semi-automatic pistol (pictured) is the same make and model of gun as the one used to murder Dr. Saitoh and his daughter. The murder weapon itself was not located. Investigators are interested in following up on any leads related to this case.

An exhaustive investigation was conducted in this case, and the motive for the double murder remains a mystery. Dr. Saitoh had no known enemies, and neither he nor his daughter was involved in any high-risk activities.

April 17, 1996

Victim: Sleiman Hallak

Date: April 17, 1996

Address: 101 S. Meadowbrook Drive

Synopsis: Sleiman Hallak owned the Moonlight Market at Skyline and Meadowbrook for more than twenty years. He was known around the neighborhood as “Pops.” On Wednesday, April 17, 1996, at about 10:30 a.m., Hallak was working at the store counter waiting on a cigarette dealer when a black male armed with a gun entered the store and demanded that Hallak “give up the money.” When Hallak did not respond quickly enough, the suspect shot him to death and stole the money from the register and a handgun from the store.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

There is a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this murder.

April 14, 2004

Suspects car


Victim: Mario Alvarez

Date: April 14, 2004

Address: 3800 Cottonwood Drive

Synopsis: Mario Alvarez, age 41, was shot to death while fixing his nephew’s bicycle on the sidewalk in front of his house at 3800 Cottonwood Drive.

Earlier that afternoon, Alvarez had assisted his next-door neighbor when the neighbor interceded in a loud dispute between a man in a car and a woman in the alley behind the neighbor’s apartment. The woman was crying for help and said the man in the car was following her. Alvarez and his neighbor went out in the alley and confronted the man in the car. Words were exchanged, after which the man left.

Later in the evening, the same man returned to the neighborhood in the same car. This time, the man was in the passenger seat and a second male was driving. Alvarez was working on his nephew’s bicycle on the sidewalk in front of his house. The car pulled up alongside Alvarez and the passenger leaned out of the window and fired multiple shots at Alvarez, striking him and killing him. The suspect vehicle then sped away.

Detectives developed information that the suspect and vehicle possibly frequented areas of high prostitution, particularly the area along 2800 – 3200 Main Street.

The suspect (shooter) is described as a Hispanic male, mid-30s to mid-40s, with short hair, a short beard, brown eyes and wide, flared nostrils.

The driver of the car, who returned with the suspect for the shooting, is described as a Spanish-speaking Hispanic male, 30-33, 5’ 4” to 5’ 6” clean-shaven, with black wavy collar-length hair.

The suspect vehicle is described as an early-to-mid 90s Nissan Sentra XE or a similar vehicle, medium-dark blue or turquoise in color. The rear and rear-side windows are lightly tinted. The wheels have custom chrome spoke rims, with the spokes described as being in a zig-zag shape similar to a lightning bolt. Witnesses described the rims as being very noticeable. The license plates are blue-on-white California plates with the last three letters being “946” or “964” or something similar. There may be damage to the rear trunk area.

The stock photos (click on 'see larger view' to see all photos) of the vehicle and wheels are similar to, but not necessarily identical to, the wheels described by witnesses as being on the suspect vehicle at the time of the murder.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 24, 2003

Victim: Larry Glenn Branch, 31

Date: September 24, 2003

Address: 4575 Logan Avenue

Synopsis: In the early morning hours of September 24, 2003, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 4500 Logan Avenue. Upon their arrival, the officers found the victim, 31-year-old Larry Branch, lying on the sidewalk inside the entryway to the apartment complex at 4500 Logan Avenue, suffering from several gunshot wounds to his face and legs. Branch was transported by paramedics to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Witnesses reported Branch had been sitting on a retaining wall just inside the entryway to the complex, along with several other people. Three black males walked up to Branch. One of the males said, “What’s up?” drew a gun and shot Branch. All three men then ran out of the complex and jumped into a newer, red station wagon which sped away northbound on 47th Street.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

September 5, 2003

Victim: Jessyka Brown

Date: September 5, 2003

Address: 2900 Clay Street

Synopsis: Shortly after midnight, the victim Jessyka Brown and her boyfriend were sitting and talking on the steps of the Women’s Civic Center at 2972 Clay Avenue (the center was closed). A confrontation occurred wherein one or more suspects approached the couple and began shooting. It is believed the boyfriend was the initial target of the attack; however the boyfriend escaped injury. Brown died at the scene. Investigators do not believe the boyfriend shot Brown. However, they do believe the boyfriend knows more about the suspects and about what happened than he is saying.

A uniformed officer was in the parking lot of Central Division and heard the gunshots. The officer put the information out on the radio at the same time that several residents on 2900 Clay Avenue phoned in reports of shots being fired. Responding units located the scene and the victim within three minutes.

Witnesses described the shooter as a male, probably black, of average height and slim build and possibly in his early 20s based on his build and the way he moved.

One witness provided second-hand information that the shooter left in a red car that was parked on the corner of 30th and Clay Streets. Another witness saw the shooter running southbound on 30th Street with a second male and did not see a red car.

Brown was described by one of her sisters as family oriented and good with children. Brown left behind a two-month old baby boy.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

August 24. 2003

Victim: Raul Aguila

Date: August 24 , 2003

Address: 400 33rd Street

Synopsis: Raul Aguila attended a party at a friend’s house in Logan Heights, which began to break up at around midnight. Aguila left the party in his car with a friend, and their route out of the neighborhood took them up 33rd Street. Several men, believed to be gang members living in the area, were loitering on 400 33rd Street and threw bottles and rocks at Aguila’s car as it passed. Aguila got away from the immediate area but returned a little while later on foot with some friends to confront the gang members. To the surprise of Aguila and his friends, the gang members immediately pulled guns and began shooting. Aguila and his friends fled and the men chased them, still shooting. Everyone in Aguila’s group got away safely, except for Aguila himself. The men caught up with Aguila on the corner of 33rd & J Streets and shot him to death.

This murder may be related to another murder that occurred in National City several months later.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

July 15, 2003

Victim: Kauko Aho

Date: July 15, 2003

Address: 3500 Monroe Avenue

Synopsis: On Tuesday evening, July 15, 2003, a resident of the apartment building at 3535 Monroe Avenue discovered the victim, Mr. Kauko Aho, 42, collapsed in the front lobby of the apartment building with Aho’s bicycle on the ground nearby. Aho was suffering from a deep stab wound to the chest, a slashing wound to the right arm, and was bleeding profusely. Police and paramedics were summoned, and Aho was taken to the hospital where he lingered unconscious for a week before dying.

An investigation revealed Aho had been out riding his bicycle earlier on the evening of the incident. Aho was apparently stabbed somewhere in the vicinity of 4500 35th Street by an unknown suspect or suspects. After suffering the injury, Aho rode his bicycle home and collapsed.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

May 28, 2003

Missing Person: Tony Andrade Cruz

Date: May 28, 2003

Address: 1229 Tenth Avenue

Suspect information: None
Synopsis: On May 28, 2003, Tony Andrade Cruz , age 83, was reported missing by his family.
Tony Cruz was last seen between 6 and 8 a.m. leaving his residence at 1229 Tenth Avenue. The woman he lived with indicated that Cruz went to a nearby post office (Ninth and E Street) to mail some bills. Tony Cruz has not been seen or heard from since.

Cruz had become increasingly reliant on a walker or cane. He reportedly had contacts in the downtown area and had visited Yuma, Arizona and Ensenada, Mexico in years past. However, there was no indication Cruz had plans to visit Yuma or Ensenada on this occasion.

A large sum of money disappeared from Cruz’s account shortly after he disappeared. The suspects in that theft have been identified.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

May 1, 2003

Victim: Eddie Meram

Date: May 1, 2003

Address: 5080 Logan Avenue

Suspect information: Two men

Synopsis: Eddie Meram was the owner of Doctor J’s Liquor Store at 5080 Logan Avenue. Meram and his business had been part of the community for many years, and he was well liked and well known by his neighbors.
On the morning of May 1, 2003, Meram was found shot to death inside his store. An examination of store surveillance video revealed that Meram had been rushed by two men just moments after he opened his store for business that morning. The men overpowered Meram, robbed him and shot him to death.

There is a $25,000.00 reward offered by the San Diego County Grocer’s Association and San Diego County Crime Stoppers, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any of the men responsible for the murder of Meram.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

March 18, 2003

Suspect


Victim: Mshindi K. Ford, 33

Date: March 18, 2003

Address: 716 Dover Court

Synopsis: On March 18, 2003, Mshindi Ford was inside his Mission Beach residence with two friends when a black male visitor arrived. Ford introduced the male to his friends as “Casey” or K.C. The male was holding a black duffle bag, and after producing two handguns from inside the bag, the male demanded money from Ford. Ford refused, and the male shot Ford several times, killing him. The male then stole money and other papers from Ford before fleeing in a brown or maroon 1990s Chevy Caprice.

Ford was a long-time beach resident and owned a limousine company called Indi Transportation. He had a history of buying and selling marijuana, and had been the victim of a previous residential robbery and shooting related to his marijuana dealing. It was widely known that Ford kept a safe in his residence.

“Casey” or K.C. was described as a black male in his early 20s with dark skin, short hair, and big round eyes. He was about 6’1” – 6’2” and 175 to 180 lbs. He was wearing a doo-rag, a baggy black shirt with red writing on the front, and baggy dark pants. He had no facial hair and was wearing a large diamond earring in one or both ears.

The suspect K.C. is depicted in the police artist’s rendering above.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

January 1, 2003

Victims: Sharon Burton & Carol Waites

Date: January 1, 2003

Address: 5080 Logan Avenue

Synopsis: Sharon Burton and Carol Waites were driving home from church on New Year’s morning when they stopped at Doctor J’s Liquor Store at 5080 Logan Avenue to buy a firelog. Waites’ seven-year-old nephew and two-year-old granddaughter were also in the car.
While they were parked in front of the store, at least two carloads of gang members pulled up in front of the liquor store and began shooting in the parking lot. It is believed the shooters were aiming at rival gang members loitering in the lot. Burton and Waites were killed, and Waites’ nephew was critically injured but survived.

The Governor of the State of California has offered a $50,0000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in this case.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

June 16, 2002

Victim: Gregg Adamec

Date: June 16, 2002

Address: 5000 Voltaire Street

Synopsis: An unknown assailant shot Gregg Adamec as he was walking on 5000 Voltaire Street at about 9:15 p.m.

A witness in the area heard a gunshot, immediately looked across the street and saw Adamec lying on the sidewalk. The suspect, a white male with dark hair and wearing dark clothing, was still standing over Adamec’s body. The suspect jumped onto a bicycle and rode off eastbound on Voltaire Street and then southbound on Bacon Street. Adamec had been shot one time in the face at close range.

Adamec had been the victim of a burglary and arson two months before, which could possibly be related to this case. No motive for the murder has been established.
If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

March 29,2002

Victim: Jahi Turner, age 2

Date: March 29, 2002

Address: 4600 Hartley Street

Synopsis: On the afternoon of April 25, 2002, Mr. Tieray Jones used his cell phone to dial ‘911’ and report that his two-year-old stepson, Jahi Turner, was missing. Jones stated he had last seen Jahi at the park at 28th and Beech Streets about fifteen to twenty minutes before his call. (This area occupies the southeast corner of Balboa Park and is commonly referred to as 28th Street Park.)

Police officers were immediately dispatched to this area of Balboa Park where they found Jones waiting for them. Jones told the officers he had walked from his apartment to the park with Jahi, and then lost sight of Jahi while getting a juice drink at a nearby vending machine.

Law enforcement personnel and civilian volunteers conducted an extensive search for Jahi in the surrounding rural area of his residence, the park, and, eventually, the Miramar Landfill that collected the refuse from Jahi’s neighborhood. Private organizations are still actively monitoring the case, and local and national media have provided extensive coverage of the case and continue to ask for the public’s assistance in locating Jahi.

Jones’ mother, a navy sailor, was on deployment at sea at the time of Jahi’s disappearance.

If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

March 29, 2002

Victim: Linzy Pierson, aka “Bugsy” age 30

Date: March 29, 2002

Address: 4600 Hartley Street

Synopsis: On the night of March 29, 2002, officers responded to a call of shots fired at 4600 Hartley Street. Upon their arrival, the officers found 30-year-old Linzy Pierson lying on the sidewalk suffering from several gunshot wounds. Paramedics were called and Pierson was declared dead at the scene.

Witnesses reported seeing Pierson talking with an unidentified black male on the sidewalk. The male said, “It’s going to be like that, huh?” and then produced a gun and began firing at Pierson. Pierson collapsed and the suspect stood over him and fired several more rounds. The suspect then fled on foot.

. If you have information on any of the cases listed on this website, or any other San Diego homicide case, we strongly urge you to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.

March 15, 2001

Victim: Ben Clark

Date: March 15, 2001

Address: 4303 Ohio Street

Synopsis: The victim Benjamin Clark was a doorman for the Nite Life Bar on Ohio Street. He was jovial and well-liked by co-workers and customers and was also a large man who usually was able to keep unruly customers in check with his physical presence.

On the morning of March 15, 2001, Benjamin Clark ejected a group of unruly Hispanic male customers from the Nite Life Bar after repeatedly warning them not to touch the dancers. Members of the group threatened to return later with a gun. Clark did not take the threats seriously and continued attending to his duties at the club.

After the bar closed, Clark followed his normal routine of escorting the female bartender out to her car. As they walked outside, Clark spotted someone hiding behind the parked car and walked up first to check it out. At this point a Hispanic male appeared from behind the car, yelled out “I’m going to shoot you punk” and shot Clark multiple times. Clark fell to the ground and died a short time later.

The suspect ran southbound on Ohio Street and eastbound on El Cajon Boulevard. Detectives believe Clark’s murder was a retaliation perpetrated by the men he had ejected earlier from the bar.

San Diego Police Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293. You can also e-mail the Cold Case Team at lrydalch@pd.sandiego.gov.