Crime & Safety

Lincoln Heights Murders Stoke Fear, Rumors in Northeast L.A.

With LAPD investigating the murders of two Lincoln Heights women, rumors have spread that a serial killer is targeting women in Northeast Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department officials say it is "much too early" to know if the murders of two Lincoln Heights women--both of whom were discovered dead by the side of major freeways--are related.

Bree'ana Guzman, 22, of Lincoln Heights, was found dead off the

The incident was strikingly similar to the still unsolved murder of Lincoln Heights resident Michelle Lozano, 17, whose body was found dumped by the side of the 5 freeway on April 25, 2011.

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"It's much to early to say if the incidents are related," Officer Curtis Davis of Northeast LAPD's Crime Analysis Unit told Patch.

In a posting on Northeast LAPD's Facebook Page, Davis directly addressed rumors that a serial killer was targeting young women in Northeast Los Angeles.

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From Northeast LAPD's Facebook Page:

In the past couple of days we've been made aware that there is a fair amount of speculation brewing about a possible serial killer in the Northeast and Hollenbeck areas (due to the discovery of the victim near the 2 freeway). At this point it's simply much too early to see patterns suggesting that type of behavior. Rest assured that the LAPD has its top-notch Robbery-Homicide Detectives working the case and they are exploring all possibilities. While it's important that we don't jump to conclusions, it's also good for us to be alert in general. We welcome all of your feedback and information.

In an interview with Patch, Davis said that social media sites like Facebook and Twitter allow rumors to spread during police investigations. 

"Social media can be a blessing and a curse," Davis said. "It really allows for rumors to circulate before they're given any credence. We're trying to separate the wheat from the chaff in terms of information, and we want to get that information to the detectives at the Robbery/Homicide Division who are covering the case."

Davis added that, cases that take place in communities with a large immigrant population can be difficult to solve, as many residents are afraid to report crimes to LAPD due to fears they may be deported for lack of legal documentation.

"Our goal is not to deport people. The stance that LAPD has taken for some time is that we want to solve crime and work with the community," Davis said. "People shouldn't be afraid to talk to us."

Davis added, though, that any community members who had information, but were afraid to contact police directly, could contact the department through LA Crime Stoppers--an anonymous system through which informants can contact LAPD through text message, phone or e-mail.


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