Newsom Announces $300,000 in Rewards for Leads in Six Unsolved Murder Cases Across Six California Counties
Sacramento — The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom announced on October 23 the availability of $300,000 in rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction in six unsolved murder cases. The cases span San Mateo, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura counties and involve seven victims, with the killings dating from 1987 to 2024.
"Every family deserves answers when a loved one is taken by violence. For the families of Michelle Matteucci, Gurmej Atwal, Surinder Singh, John Graves, Darnell Smith, Eduardo Lira, and Estevan Mejia, may they soon have the justice they deserve. If you know something about their cases, please reach out to local law enforcement," Governor Newsom said.
In Daly City, San Mateo County, 13-year-old Michelle Matteucci was sexually assaulted, beaten, and fatally strangled in 1987 while walking home from school near the 100 block of Morton Drive. She was an eighth-grade student at Alta Loma Junior High School. Tips can be given to the Daly City Police Department at 650-991-8119.
In Elk Grove, Sacramento County, Gurmej Atwal, 78, and Surinder Singh, 65, were fatally shot in 2011 during their daily afternoon walk along East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Point Drive. Police said a lifted truck pulled alongside the two men and the assailant or assailants fired multiple times. The two men were well known within their community and place of worship, and a new Elk Grove park was named after them in 2016. Tips can be given to the Elk Grove Police Department at 916-627-3111.
In Fresno, John Graves, 27, was fatally shot in 2017 while stopped at a red light at Clinton Avenue and First Street, when a car pulled alongside his and the assailant or assailants fired multiple times. Graves was the father of three children and worked in his family's automotive upholstery business. Central Valley Crime Stoppers has offered an additional $3,000 reward. Tips can be given to Fresno Police Department Sergeant Leyva at 559-621-2440.
In San Diego, Darnell Smith, 20, was fatally shot in 2008 in Emerald Hills. Smith and his cousins had parked on Pyramid Street and were walking toward his aunt's house when an assailant exited a black SUV and fired multiple shots. Smith was a student at Mesa College and worked for Cox Cable. San Diego Crime Stoppers has offered an additional $1,000 reward and Cox Communications an additional $2,500. Tips can be given to the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293.
In Santa Paula, Ventura County, Eduardo Lira, 20, was fatally shot in 2018 while walking with a companion near High and Sycamore Streets; his companion was injured. Tips can be given to Santa Paula Police Department Commander Eric Starna at 805-826-2227.
In South El Monte, Los Angeles County, Estevan Mejia, 34, was fatally shot in 2024 in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. According to the Sheriff's Department, Mejia was last seen driving his car; after tips from the public, the car was recovered the next day in a dried riverbed about three miles from where he was found, with a flat tire and stripped of its radio and other valuables. Mejia was a nurse working for the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Tips can be given to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Detective Amber Montenegro at 323-890-5500.
Under California law, law enforcement agencies may ask the Governor to issue rewards in specified unsolved cases where they have exhausted all investigative leads, to encourage individuals with information about the crimes to come forward. The Governor's Office said public assistance is vital to law enforcement, and rewards may encourage the public cooperation needed to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加州州长办公室10月23日发布的悬赏公告图，列明总额30万美元、涉及圣马特奥、萨克拉门托、Fresno、洛杉矶、San Diego 与 Ventura 六县。加州州长办公室官方发布。 / Official announcement graphic from the Office of the Governor of California, October 23, listing $300,000 in rewards across San Mateo, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura counties.
