Valkyre

They've Released a Composite Sketch

The man is described as in his early 20s, about 6 feet tall with a medium build

I've been looking through the paper every day, ever since this happened, hoping to see some progress in the investigation. There had been nothing until this afternoon, when they released a composite sketch. There is also a reward.

Article here

Reward Offered In Beating Death Of 76-Year-Old Gardena Woman

POSTED: 9:44 am PDT September 25, 2007

GARDENA, Calif. -- Authorities on Tuesday sought public help to find the killer of a 76-year-old Gardena woman who was beaten to death as she was taking her customary morning walk.

Severa Madrona was attacked about 8:45 a.m. Sept. 18 at Eriel Avenue and 152nd Place, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported.

She died at the scene. Investigators were unsure of a motive for the crime.

Deputies handed out fliers in the neighborhood urging anyone with more information about the crime to call the sheriff's department. Authorities also released a sketch of the man wanted for questioning in the case.

A $10,000 reward was offered by the county Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

Madrona lived in the neighborhood with her daughter and son-in-law.

"She's walking down the street at 8 o'clock in the morning," said Tom Bernard, the victim's son-in-law. "Come on. She would have been 77 Nov. 8. I don't know. This is senseless.

"She had nothing on her. There was no reason for this, none."

Bernard said Madrona has 29 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Investigators said the woman's body was dragged about 20 feet into a neighbor's back yard. A forensics report said the victim was beaten so severely that investigators could not determine whether the assailant used a weapon.

"He's still out there," said Lt. Pat Nelson of the attacker. "We'd like to prevent this type of occurrence from happening again."

Posted by Valkyre at September 25, 2007 11:53 PM