Dozens Gather to Mark Anniversary of Teen Informant’s Slaying

Relatives and friends of Chad MacDonald, the Yorba Linda teen drug informant who was killed a year ago, gathered at his grave in Santa Ana on Wednesday to remember him.

The 17-year-old’s death while working for the Brea Police Department led to changes in the law that now limit the use of juveniles in police operations.

On Wednesday, more than 60 people brought flowers, letters, speeches, pizza and soft drinks to the plot in Fairhaven Memorial Park where the teen is buried.

One of his friends, Christa Frink, read from a letter to him: “The memory still remains in my heart. Why did it happen? As I go through each day wondering, I long to see your smile again. Love you, Chad, and I miss you.”

MacDonald agreed to work as an informant for the Brea Police Department after he was arrested on drug possession charges, authorities said. MacDonald and his 16-year-old girlfriend met three people at a house in Norwalk for a suspected drug deal that turned bad.

MacDonald was killed, and his girlfriend was raped, shot and left for dead in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Prosecutors in November said they would seek the death penalty for three people arrested and charged in connection with the slaying. A trial date has not been set.

Cindy MacDonald, the slain teen’s mother, said of Wednesday’s gathering, “It was nice to have so many of Chad’s friends come to the grave one year later and talk about Chad having been one of their best and loyal friends, and how much they miss him.”

She has filed a $10-million wrongful-death lawsuit against the Brea Police Department and the two cities it serves: Brea and Yorba Linda.