Altadena: May 2008 Archives

The Supes are offering a $10,000 reward for information on the murder of Evelyn Mosley, according to a press release put out this afternoon.

Mosley, 90,  was killed last Thursday after a brief struggle in her home in the 3200 block of Lincoln Avenue in Altadena.

Her body was discovered by fire fighters responding to a call at the home.

Note from Star-news city editor Hector Gonzalez:

Property records showed that a Sandy Mosley Hamilton lived at the address.

Further details as they happen

Fred Ortega spent some time in Altadena yesterday hoping to put together some of the puzzle surrounding the death of 90-year-old woman: Associated Press filed this. Here's a piece of Fred's story:

ALTADENA - Firefighters doused a blaze at an Altadena home Thursday - and uncovered a murder mystery.

Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are now investigating after firefighters discovered the body of a 90-year-old woman inside the burned Lincoln Avenue home early Thursday.

Detectives said they found blood and other signs of a struggle inside the home in the 3200 block of North Lincoln.

"Right now we have no details about whether she was killed by fire or smoke," said Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Ron Haralson.

However, he said the woman's body showed signs of trauma.

And later in the day Thursday, detectives confirmed the woman's death was a homicide.

Here's the latest:

ALTADENA - Homicide detectives are investigating the death of an elderly woman found in a Lincoln Avenue home gutted by fire early Thursday, after blood and other signs of a struggle were found at the scene.

Firefighters were dispatched to the home on the 3200 block of North Lincoln Avenue at about 10 a.m. Thursday and found two rooms of the house in flames, said L.A. County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson.

Firefighters knocked down the fire within minutes and found the dead woman inside, Haralson said.

"Right now we have no details about whether she was killed by fire or smoke," said Haralson, adding that there were signs of trauma on the body. He described the woman as approximately 90 years old and of unknown race, but would not release her identity.

But neighbors and relatives identified the woman as Evelyn Mosley, a 90 year old who lived at the location for about six years with her daughter and teen-aged grandson.

"Oh my God, does Sandy know, does her grandson know?" said Jacqueline Jackson, a neighbor, who broke into tears when she heard the news.

A woman who claimed to be the victim's god-daughter also identified her as Evelyn Mosley, and property records show a Sandy Mosley Hamilton living at the address.

Reporter Fred Ortega is on the scene. Here's what he told me earlier:

ALTADENA -- An elderly woman was found dead at a house in the 3200 block of Lincoln Avenue, after firefighters were dispatched to the home Thursday morning.

The woman, who was not identified as believed to be in her 90s, officials said. Her body showed signs of having suffered trauma.

The fire was reported about 10:00 a.m., according to Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson.

Homicide detectives and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad have been dispatched to the scene.

No further details were available.