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Family devastated after young Southern California father dies from fentanyl

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Family devastated after young Southern California father dies from fentanyl

Loved ones are remembering a young Southern California father who died from fentanyl as the suspect who sold him the drugs was sentenced to prison.

On November 11, 2022, Ian Pangburn, 26, purchased fentanyl from Javier Carlos Cruz, 23, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Pangurn ingested a fentanyl pill and died the next day. A toxicologist determined that fentanyl poisoning had caused his death. 

Pangburn’s mother, Jennifer Ochoa, said her son had previously struggled with drug use but was working to turn his life around when he died.

“He was a happy person at times and he struggled,” Ochoa said. “I won’t downplay it. There’s a stigma about drug users that they take a drug and it’s their fault and they deserve to die, but it’s not [true]. He didn’t want to die. He didn’t ask to die. Unfortunately, he made a choice and the consequences of his choice ended up being death.”

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Pangburn, who leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, had graduated from Alta Loma High School where he played football and was attending classes at Mt. San Antonio College as he worked on improving his future.

  • Ian Pangburn and his young daughter are seen in a family photo. (Pangburn Family)
  • Ian Pangburn, 26, is seen in a family photo. (Pangburn Family)
  • Ian Pangburn's mother, Jennifer Ochoa, and his sister, Cecilia Ochoa, speak to KTLA.
  • Ian Pangburn, who played football in high school, is seen with his mother in a family photo. (Pangburn Family)
  • Ian Pangburn and his young daughter are seen in a family photo. (Pangburn Family)
  • Ian Pangburn and his siblings are seen in a family photo. (Pangburn Family)

He had been messaging Cruz, the man who sold him the deadly narcotics, for a while before he took that fatal dose.

Cruz was arrested on December 27, 2022. While searching his home, Ontario Police discovered nearly 1,500 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, along with three semiautomatic handguns.

Ochoa is speaking out following her son’s death, warning others about the extreme dangers of fentanyl and drug trafficking.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially fatal dose and lab testing indicates that seven out of 10 pills seized from suspects contain a lethal dose.

“Fentanyl, even one pill, it just depends on the potency because they don’t have any way to regulate it because it’s illegal so one pill could have enough fentanyl in it to kill a dozen people,” said Byron Pangburn, the victim’s father. “And that’s one pill. So it varies because there’s no quality control on something that’s made illegally or by cartels.”

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Pangburn’s sister, Cecilia Ochoa, said she knows firsthand how painful the consequences of drug use can be.

“A lesson I learned from this is just how precious life truly is,” she said. “Because we all only have one life, when a moment is gone, you can’t get it back. It’s gone forever.”

Ashley Nusser, Pangborn’s partner and mother of his daughter, is devastated and trying to help the young child understand her father’s death. 

“She knows her dad was taken by a very bad man,” Nusser said. “She knows he’s buried in the ground, but we have said that he will always be in your heart.”

On June 28, 2024, Cruz entered a plea deal and was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for the distribution of fentanyl. Cruz also admitted that his products resulted in the death of Pangburn, officials said.

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Pangburn, who is an Ontario resident, is survived by his daughter, siblings, parents and friends.

Los Angeles, Ca

Motorcyclist killed by hit-and-run truck driver in Sun Valley

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Motorcyclist killed by hit-and-run truck driver in Sun Valley

A truck driver was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist in Sun Valley.

The Los Angeles Police Department identified the suspect as Edvard Gyulnazaryan, 64, of Glendale.

On May 28, police responded to the crash near Bradley Avenue and Tuxford Street around 4:20 a.m.

Gyulnazaryan was driving a semi-truck when he made a left turn onto a private property. 

A motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Bradley Avenue and Tuxford Street in Sun Valley on May 28, 2026. (Google Maps)

A motorcyclist from behind attempted to pass on the left side of the truck during the turn and was struck by the vehicle.

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Gyulnazaryan continued driving and did not stop to check on the motorcyclist, police said.

The biker was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. His name is being withheld pending identification and notification to next of kin.

Police said Gyulnazaryan returned to the scene hours later and was taken into custody. He was booked at the Van Nuys jail for felony hit-and-run causing death.

“Motorists are reminded that if they become involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves,” LAPD said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Detective Ramirez at 818-644-8025 or Officer Reyes at 818-644-8114. 

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During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man stabbed to death after violent dog attack on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Man stabbed to death after violent dog attack on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Loved ones are devastated after a 37-year-old man was attacked by a dog and stabbed to death by several men on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The unprovoked attack happened on May 20 as Berry Henderson, 37, was standing at a bus stop near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue around 3 p.m.

Surveillance video showed Henderson running into the street as a dog was seen chasing him and aggressively biting him. 

Henderson managed to pull out a knife and stabbed the dog to defend himself. That’s when a group of four men, one of whom was the dog’s owner, rushed over to attack Henderson. A suspect who was armed with a machete was seen stabbing and punching Henderson.

  • A group of four men stabbed and punched Barry Henderson after he stabbed the attacking dog in defense on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)
  • Berry Henderson, 37, tried to escape the area from his attackers who quickly cornered him again on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)
  • Loved ones held a candelight vigil at the crime scene on the Hollywood Walk Fame to honor Berry Henderson on May 29, 2026. (KTLA)
  • Berry Henderson, 37, is seen in a family photo.
  • Berry Henderson, 37, is seen in a family photo.
  • The victim's cousin, Demeya Brewer, speaks with KTLA at a candlelight vigil in Hollywood on May 29, 2026. (KTLA)
  • Surveillance video showed Berry Henderson, 37, running into the street as a violent dog was seen chasing him and aggressively biting him near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood on May 20, 2026. (Henderson Family)

The victim’s cousin, Sharon Grimes, said she was stunned that no bystanders acted to help Henderson.

“People around weren’t doing anything,” she said. “I didn’t see anybody try to come to his rescue, with all that blood. Nobody picked up the phone.”

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“That’s what makes it so shocking,” said Najee Ali, a community activist. “That someone could actually be stabbed to death, beaten and bit by a dog in broad daylight with no one helping.”

Henderson, who was critically injured, stumbled across the street while trying to escape the attackers, but the men quickly came after him again.

“He was running away,” said Demeya Brewer, the victim’s cousin. “He was down on the ground, running away and they still continued to attack him.”

Henderson, who had suffered multiple stab wounds, died from his injuries at the hospital. 

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the scene and were able to locate and arrest three suspects. The fourth male suspect managed to escape.

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On Friday night, Henderson’s family gathered at the scene for a candlelight vigil to honor Henderson, who was a student at a local trade school. Family members said he was a peaceful man who was loved by his friends and community.

“My cousin was not a threat to anyone,” Brewer said. “This was his area, his neighborhood. Business owners knew him. We need more love and peace.”

Henderson’s family believes there are witnesses who likely know where the fourth suspect is hiding. They’re asking anyone with information on the case to call the LAPD at 213-382-9470.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP

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Man arrested for multiple Los Angeles freeway shootings: CHP

A man suspected of repeatedly shooting at other vehicles while driving on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles County was arrested on May 29, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP pulled over the suspected shooter, Martin Moreno-Pacheco, in South Los Angeles at about 3:40 a.m. Friday. Prior to his arrest, CHP officers suspected that Moreno-Pacheco was connected to multiple freeway shootings in recent days.

On May 26, a driver reported a car-to-car shooting, which they said happened on the 405 Freeway near Wilmington Avenue on May 23. The victim told investigators that the person responsible for the shooting was driving a black pickup truck.

“The victim reported an unprovoked shooting occurred, resulting in damage to the victim’s vehicle,” CHP said.

The 405 Freeway near Wilmington Avenue in Los Angeles. (Google Street View)

On May 28, at about 5:30 a.m., another car-to-car shooting was reported on the 405 Freeway south of Vermont Avenue. The victim told investigators that their car was damaged in a shooting committed by someone in a black pickup.

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“Based on the investigation conducted, both incidents, as well as a third incident, which occurred on May 22, 2026, were determined to be committed by the same individual,” CHP said.

Moreno-Pacheco was found and arrested a week later. Upon searching Moreno-Pacheco’s truck, CHP officers found a loaded BB gun inside the truck’s passenger compartment.

No one was injured in the shootings, CHP said. CHP is asking any additional witnesses or victims of the alleged crimes to contact Officer C. Ortega at the CHP South Los Angeles Area office at (424) 551-4000.

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