$20,000 Reward Being Offered in Slaying of Irvine Woman

Police announced a $20,000 reward Wednesday for information about the slaying of an 18-year-old college student found dead in her family’s home.

“We’re hoping that the reward will be an incentive for someone to come forward,” Police Lt. Sam Allevato said. “We have no witnesses, and no one really heard anything.”

Friends and neighbors of Linda Park, a fashion design student at Irvine Valley College, established the reward fund about two weeks after her Nov. 9 death.

As of this week, donations totaled $20,000, and police offered the money to anyone who could provide information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

“Linda Park’s murder has touched many in the community because of her young age and the seemingly senseless nature of the crime,” Allevato said.

Park’s father found her dead in the family’s living room when he returned home from work. Jewelry and hundreds of dollars in cash were missing, police said.

There were no signs of a break-in, leading investigators to believe Park knew the assailant.

“We think it was an acquaintance of an acquaintance of an acquaintance,” Allevato said. “And we’re continuing to monitor some of her friends to try to get to that acquaintance.”

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call (714) 724-7174 or (714) 724-7011.