Homicide Report > Melinda Harris, 12
Melinda Harris, 12
Died Sept. 9, 2008 at 7:10 a.m.
Sonya Evette Durfield, 43, a black woman, and three of her daughters, Ebony, 14, Melinda, 12, and Kayla, 9, were found dead inside their home that was set on fire in the 1500 block of East Avenue J-3 in Lancaster about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.
Firefighters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department discovered the bodies of Durfield and her three daughters after the fire was put out, said Lt. Patrick Nelson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Nelson said investigators found visible trauma on the bodies. Sheriff's homicide detectives were also investigating a possible connection between the death of Durfield and her daughters and a theft at a nearby Wal-Mart. Nelson said Durfield's vehicle was found in the parking lot of the store.
Hours after the incident, Corey King, 18, a young black man, called investigators and asked to meet with them. He was taken into custody and was booked on suspicion of murder the next day. Lt. Liam Gallagher of the sheriff's homicide division said King was a friend of Durfield's son. Gallagher said King was also a person of interest in the killing of 90-year-old Evelyn Mosley, who was found dead in her home in Altadena in May. Gallagher said King was friends with Mosley's grandson.
- Neighborhood: Lancaster
- Age: 12
- Gender: Female
- Cause: Other
- Day of the week: Tuesday
- Agency: LASD Homicide
- Race/Ethnicity: Black
- Crime scene: Residence
Harris was killed at the same place and on the same day as Sonya Durfield, Ebony Horton and Kayla Clark.
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Six reader comments about Melinda Harris
I loved melinda dearly.... called her 2 days before this happend
Feb. 7, 2010 at 6:11 p.m.
Horrible! Hope he was given death penalty!
June 9, 2010 at 3:01 p.m.
She was nothing but a good girl she had her whole life infront of her and she dies?
Jan. 22, 2011 at 9:58 a.m.
I remember Melinda although I only knew her for a couple of weeks prior to the incident. She had just been accepted into the New Vista Dance team, the dance team I had been dancing with for the past two years. She was very quiet, but always smiling and so motivated to reach her goal. I never really got a chance to know her, but I wish I did. Rest with the Lord Melinda, and dance in his presence for all eternity!
April 10, 2011 at 3:55 a.m.
i remember seeing her they day before at school in the p.e locker room and then the next day she was gone and i will forever miss her because we new each other since 1st grade and where bestfriends she was the nicest sweetest girl you could ever met
July 20, 2011 at 1:36 a.m.
Melinda and I went to the same school on elementary. We went to Lincoln and I can't remember that much but I remember that we were really close friends then one day I had to move and our friend Ashley was having a birthday party and I was able to visit and Melinda was there. Then maybe a year after that I came by for another visit and Ashley and her mother told me that Melinda and her family was killed. I couldn't believe it and I cried. That was the first time I have ever lost a friend through death. She was one of the nicest girls I've ever met. I still miss her and think about her often and how things would have been now. May she rest in peace . I know she's up with God right now because she was so kind to others.
April 29, 2012 at 10:27 p.m.
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