Los Angeles, Ca
Loved ones devastated after Southern California teacher found murdered in car trunk
Loved ones are devastated after the body of a young teacher was found in the trunk of a burned vehicle in Lancaster.
Family, friends and community members gathered at Anaverde Park in Palmdale to honor Veronica Aguilar, 27, a second-grade teacher found murdered on Dec. 20.
“It’s a huge loss to the community, a huge loss to the school,” said Chris Welch, a parent at the school where Aguilar taught. “She was an awesome teacher and it was devastating to my kids and everybody else that she tragically passed.”
Emergency crews first responded to a house fire in the Quartz Hill neighborhood on the 41400 block of 38th Street West around 8:30 a.m.
Arriving firefighters found heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage. Two charred vehicles were found inside along with Aguilar’s body in the trunk of a car, said LASD. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time, no other occupants were located inside the home which was heavily damaged from the blaze.
The next day, detectives arrested the homeowner, Matthew Switalski, 37, as a suspect in Aguilar’s death. He was taken into custody in Kern County.
The two were believed to be dating at one point. Aguilar was living at Switalski’s home when she was killed.
Neighbors told KTLA that Switalski was previously employed by Northrop Grumman and reportedly rented out several rooms of his house to Northup Grumman employees.
Aguilar grew up in Southern California and graduated from UCLA before becoming a teacher at Anaverde Hills School.
“Great dedication to boys and girls and great dedication to making a difference,” said Regina Rossall, Superintendent of the Westside Union School District. “A tremendous loss. Young energy, she coached for some of our athletic teams, always willing to help.”
Many gathered to honor Aguilar, including her current and former students. Handmade signs filled with photos of Aguilar were seen at the candlelight vigil.
“I volunteered for her for the whole year when my son was in her class and she made a very big impact on my son and on me,” said Trivina George, a parent of Aguilar’s former student. “She became more than just my son’s teacher, she became my friend. It’s just terrible what’s happened. We’re just trying our best to get through it.”
“We’re a small family and now we’re even smaller,” said Juan Aguilar, the victim’s brother during the Wednesday night vigil. “We are heartbroken and there is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.”
“We’re never going to forget my sister,” said Alejandro Aguilar, the victim’s brother. “She will always have a spot in our hearts.”
Switalski was arrested on murder charges and is being held on $10 million bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 18.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man found stabbed to death in Huntington Park
A man was found stabbed to death in Huntington Park early Sunday morning, authorities said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide investigators are assisting the Huntington Park Police Department with the investigation after the deadly stabbing was reported around 12:03 a.m. in the 3500 block of Florence Avenue.
Officials said the victim, described only as an adult man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
No information about a possible suspect or the circumstances leading up to the stabbing was immediately released.
The investigation remained ongoing Sunday morning.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
$50,000 reward offered in 2019 Koreatown killing; family still seeks answers 7 years later
Juan Cuevas, 26, was shot and killed near Beverly Boulevard and St. Andrews Place in Koreatown in January 2019. Seven years later, his parents, Cesar and Patricia Cuevas, returned to the neighborhood this weekend to hang flyers, hoping someone will provide information about the unsolved killing.
In March, the Los Angeles Police Department announced a $50,000 reward for details leading to the suspect’s identity, arrest and conviction.
The killing remains unsolved and the suspect has not been identified. Juan was the oldest of four children and the only son in his family. He also worked for the family’s plumbing business with his father, Cesar.
“He was my partner,” Cesar said. “He used to work with me all the time.”
Surveillance video obtained by the Los Angeles Police Department captured the moments before and after the shooting. Investigators reported that a dark-colored Honda Accord pulled up just after 10:20 p.m. the night of the incident. A passenger then exited the vehicle, approached Juan and opened fire. Another camera recorded Juan running into a nearby liquor store in search of help. He collapsed inside and was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
The family said that it continues to experience profound grief over Juan’s death. The family has set up a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising awareness of the case.
“We are dying together,” Cesar said. “The time is coming and going and we are dying together.”
Juan’s mother said that her son’s death is an ongoing struggle.
“So far we haven’t had any answers,” Patricia said. “Seven years. It hasn’t been easy for our house, our family, living with this in our hearts, knowing that person is around.”
The family noted that multiple detectives have been assigned to the case over the years, but they feel they have received limited information about the investigation.
“It was my only son,” Cesar said. “I got three daughters. It was my first son and we haven’t heard anything from the police.”
The family said that investigators seem overwhelmed handling the case.
“All they say is, ‘We have so many cases we have to work on,’” Cesar said. “‘Yours is on our list, but we have a lot to work on,’ and that’s their answer.”
In their search for answers, the Cuevas family reached out to people who knew Juan, but they said no one has been willing to talk.
“Nobody has said anything,” he added. “Too many people say ‘I know your son’ and nobody wants to say anything.”
The family hopes the recently announced $50,000 reward will bring renewed attention to the case. Watch the full report from KTLA’s Jillian Smukler in the video at the top of this story.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTLA. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTLA staff before being published.
Los Angeles, Ca
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 from behind attempted to pass on the left side of the truck during the turn and was struck by the vehicle.
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.
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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