The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested and charged a 27-year-old Lancaster woman with killing 15-year-old Brenda Sierra in 2002. Sierra’s body was found in Crestline. (Photo Courtesy Nicole Nishida/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
By G. T. Houts
UPDATE: Thursday, March 5 – 3:25 a.m.
Monterey Park, CA – The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department indicates that the 27-year-old Lancaster woman — Rosemary Chavira — arraigned on a single count of murder in the death Brenda Sierra was a onetime friend.
Rosemary Chavira (Photo by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Homicide Detective Dave Coleman told Tuesday’s press conference, “She actually was a friend of Brenda at the time, and coordinated the kidnap herself, and evidence indicates to us that she was present during the rapes and during the murder.”
RETALIATION KILLING
Coleman went on to tell media representatives that the case can best be described as a gang-related retaliation killing.
“Her brother,” Coleman explained, “had testified in a drive-by shooting approximately 10 days before her kidnapping, rape and murder.”
ADDITIONAL SUSPECTS
Coleman reported that homicide detectives are close to bringing murder charges against three additional suspects. Most likely the Los Angeles District Attorney will file the charges within the next 30 days or so.
George Barraza (Photo by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
The homicide detective revealed two of the people he expects charges to be filed against are already incarcerated. He did not name the two male suspects.
In addition, Coleman said charges would also be filed against a third man who authorities believe may be in Mexico. Previous media releases identified him George Barraza as a “person of interest.”
Investigators report they have been able to identify three specific locations relating to Sierra’s kidnap, rape and murder. She was kidnapped in the area of Whittier Boulevard and Leonard Avenue in East Los Angeles. Sierra was then taken to a residence in the 600 block of Williamson Avenue in East Los Angeles, where she was sexually assaulted.
Authorities believe she was then bludgeoned to death in the 900 block of Miller Avenue in Los Angeles before being dumped in Valley of Enchantment.
INITIAL INVESTIGATION
The initial investigation was conducted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department after Sierra’s body was found in Valley of Enchantment.
In April 2008, the case was transferred to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
ASSISTANCE REQUESTED
Homicide detectives continue to work the case and have requested that anyone with knowledge of the 2002 event, or activities, contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
UPDATE: Tuesday, March 3 – 5:07 p.m.
Monterey Park, CA – A 27-year-old Lancaster woman — Rosemary Chavira — has been charged with killing 15-year-old Brenda Sierra on October 18, 2002, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Sierra was walking to school in Montebello at the time of her abduction.
A press conference announcing the arrest was held in Monterey Park. (Photo Courtesy Nicole Nishida/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Chavira, who was also 15 at the time of Sierra’s death, entered a plea of not guilty to murder with gang allegations and special circumstances during a court appearance on March 3. Chavira is being held without bail and, if convicted of the cold case murder, faces life in prison without parole.
Sierra’s body was located by a local resident on October 19, 2002, after it had been dumped in the 22500 block of Skyview Lane in Valley of Enchantment.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Chavira was placed under arrest near her Lancaster home on Friday, February 27, for her alleged role in Sierra’s kidnap, rape and murder.
Investigators anticipate filing similar charges on at least three additional suspects within the next month.
ORIGINAL STORY
The public’s help is sought in locating three “persons of interest” in the October 2002 murder of 15-year-old Brenda Sierra. Her body was found by a resident in the 22600 block of Skyview Lane in Valley of Enchantment (Photo Courtesy Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department)
Montebello, CA – The location of three “persons of interest” related to the 2002 kidnap, rape and murder of Brenda Sierra, 15, may help detectives solve the cold case. The assistance of the public is requested.
Brenda Sierra (Contributed Photo)
Sierra’s body was found on October 19, 2002, after it had been dumped in the 22500 block of Skyview Lane in Valley of Enchantment.
PERSONS OF INTEREST
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators have been persistent in their pursuit of those responsible for the murder of the 15-year-old high school student from East Los Angeles. Detectives have developed information that the two individuals depicted in the composite drawings are “persons-of-interest” in the kidnap and murder of Sierra.
Officials are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the two individuals, their current whereabouts and any other information which may assist detectives in locating them.
At the time of Sierra’s murder, the two men were known street gang members who frequented the area where Sierra was abducted. The abduction is believed to have occurred in the area of Leonard Avenue and Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles.
Authorities report that witnesses have come forth and provided vital information relating to Sierra’s cold case, but detectives still need more to come forward.
The third “person-of-interest,” is identified by investigators as George Barraza (pictured in photo). Barraza is believed to be in Mexico, but may travel back and forth across the border. Currently, he is wanted for questioning in Sierra’s murder; however he is also wanted on a “no-bail” arrest warrant for a prior narcotics conviction.
VOE WITNESSES SOUGHT
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department detectives are asking the public to contact them if they have any information or recollection of this 2002 incident.
In addition, detectives are seeking any information from the residents in the Crestline/Valley of Enchantment area who may have seen the individuals depicted above on or around October 18 or 19, 2002. VOE witnesses in the area have previously noted a “suspicious, dark, SUV” in the area, prior to the discovery of Brenda’s body.
”Certainly, we hope that anyone with knowledge of this horrific incident will overcome any fear of coercion or retaliation and come forward and bring justice to Brenda and her family,” Homicide Lieutenant Dave Colman stated in a media release.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Information may also be provided anonymously. Call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or online at L.A. CRIMESTOPPERS.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department — the investigating agency in Valley of Enchantment — issued cold case playing cards to county jail inmates depicting Brenda Sierra’s picture in hopes of getting leads in the case. (Contributed Photo).