Reward Offered in 1995 Slaying of Bondsman

On May 7, 1995, bail bondsman Willie Litmanovich was shot and killed in his Van Nuys Boulevard office. Almost three years later, police are turning to the public for help.

On Monday, Councilman Mike Feuer and the Los Angeles Police Department announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the killing of Litmanovich.

The announcement comes after homicide detectives at the LAPD’s Van Nuys Division exhausted more than 100 leads, all resulting in dead ends.

“It’s been a difficult process,” said Det. Roberta Moore. “Because of his business, we’ve had a lot of leads, several of them taking us out of state, but nothing has worked out.”

The 54-year-old Litmanovich was shot several times in the upper torso after responding to a page at his office at 2:30 a.m. His body was found hours later by relatives who grew concerned after he did not return home. The motive is unknown, Moore said.

Investigators are hoping the reward will coax anyone with information about the slaying to come forward. In addition, Feuer is hoping the reward sends a message to the community.

“It shows that no victim of a murder in this city will ever be forgotten,” Feuer said as he stood next to Litmanovich’s widow and two sons. “When a member of our community dies, it’s incumbent in all of us to reach out and try and solve this crime.”

Litmanovich’s oldest son, Ron, made a plea to the community.

“All of us are changed by [the killing],” he said. “If there is any way you can help, please, please do so.”

Anyone with information should call Moore at (818) 756-8377. After hours, call (213) 485-2504 or (818) 756-8343.