Homicide Report > Jose Lara, 51
Jose Lara, 51
Died Oct. 19, 2011
Jose Lara, a 51-year-old Latino, was found dead Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the 500 block of East Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
A woman's body was found Oct. 15 partly buried in a vacant lot in Norwalk after a passerby noticed a foul smell. The victim was later identified as Gloria Bertina Villalta, a 58-year-old Latina.
Several days later, her husband, Jose Lara, was found dead in a shallow grave in a vacant lot in Long Beach.
Family members of the couple pointed investigators to two teenagers, a 15-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy.
The victims may be related to the girl. They were reported missing from their home in Compton "under suspicious circumstances," said Lt. Mary Leef of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The names of the suspects were withheld because of their ages.
Anyone with information about the deaths is asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800) 222-8477.
— Abby Sewell
- Neighborhood: Long Beach
- Age: 51
- Gender: Male
- Cause: Stabbing
- Day of the week: Wednesday
- Agency: LASD Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino
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