Woman’s Chance Meeting Turned Deadly, Police Say

Police are looking for a man who they said met a single mother at a liquor store, went home with her to watch Wednesday night’s Lakers game, then killed her and tried to suffocate her 8-year-old daughter.

Adrienne Reed, 25, was found dead Thursday morning by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and paramedics called to her home on the 2100 block of W. 104th St. She reportedly had worked for the Department of Children’s Services as a clerk.

Her daughter, who the man tried to smother with a pillow, was taken to the hospital for observation, deputies said.

Reed and her daughter had gone to a liquor store at 2130 Century Boulevard to buy grocery items for the girl’s lunch the next day when she met the unknown man, said Deputy Paul Jelloian. She and the suspect struck up a conversation and Reed invited him home to watch the game, Jelloian said.

At some point thereafter, Reed’s daughter went to sleep in her bedroom. When she awoke at 1:30 a.m., she went to the living room, where she found her mother partially unclothed, lying on the floor. She asked the man to help her wake Reed, but instead, he took the child to the bedroom, placed a pillow over her face and tried to suffocate her, Jelloian said.

The man ransacked the house and stole Reed’s television and other items before fleeing in a blue, 1980s model Ford or Dodge van, he said.

Reed’s daughter awoke early Thursday morning and called her grandmother for help. Her grandmother called 911.

Jelloian said the man is believed to be African American, about 35, approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and between 160 and 200 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call (323) 890-5500.