Ex-Boyfriend Sought for Questioning in Slayings

Sheriff’s investigators Tuesday released the identity and photo of a man wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting deaths of two Lynwood girls.

Cousins Jessica Yvette Zavala, 15, and Olivia Munguia, 17, were walking to school on June 8 when they were approached by a young man on foot, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Elsa Avila. The gunman shot both girls and fled east on Woodlawn Avenue.

Sheriff’s investigators say Juan Manuel Casillas, 20, is not a suspect but they want to talk to him to see if he has any information that will help them with their investigation.

Munguia had recently ended a relationship with Casillas, Zavala family members said. Three days before the slayings, Casillas had arrived uninvited to Zavala’s 15th birthday party. There, the family members said, he made verbal threats, crashed his vehicle into a parked car and allegedly fired a weapon.

It is believed that Casillas has fled to Mexico, Avila said.

County supervisors posted a $5,000 reward Tuesday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the two girls’ killer. Anyone with information about Casillas’ whereabouts or tips on the killings is asked to call (323) 890-5500.