Police Offer Reward for Clues in Slaying
The Los Angeles Police Department and Councilman Joel Wachs offered a $25,000 reward Wednesday for information leading to the arrest of suspects in the December slaying of a 35-year-old mentally disabled man on vacation in the San Fernando Valley from Oklahoma.
Jose Ornelas went to Panorama City every Christmas holiday to visit his three sisters, police said. He often wandered off during his visits, but until Dec. 8, 1994, Ornelas always returned. On that day, he left his sister’s home and did not come back.
Ornelas’ partially clothed body was discovered by a security guard the following day in a back alley in the 700 block of North Broadway in the Downtown jewelry district. Police said he had been strangled, but authorities were unable to immediately identify Ornelas because his wallet had been stolen, along with his hiking boots and his watch.
Ornelas’ sisters realized what had happened to their brother when a television station broadcast his photograph two weeks later.
Police said they have no clues in the case.
“I need all the help I can get,” said Detective Emett Badar. “We don’t know how he got Downtown or into that alley, but we believe someone out there knows.”
The reward offer is good for 60 days. Anyone with information should call detectives at (213) 485-2671.
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