Michelle Lozano and Bree'Anna Guzman (KTLA-TV) |
LINCOLN HEIGHTS, Calif. (KTLA) -- Two young women were recently murdered in the Lincoln Heights area, and now the city is offering two $50,000 rewards for the arrests of those responsible.
Residents gathered together to march through the neighborhood in an effort to demonstrate their solidarity and "Take Lincoln Heights Back."
"The city of Lincoln Heights has endured two tragic events in this past year," L.A. City Councilman Ed Reyes said at the gathering.
Reyes is referring to the murder of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano last year, and last week's discovery of the body of 22-year-old Bree'Anna Guzman.
Lozano's body was discovered last April near the 5 Freeway.
Guzman disappeared on Dec. 26 while walking to a nearby pharmacy.
Her body was found Thursday near the 2 Freeway, obscured by bushes and partially covered in debris.
Guzman had two young daughters ages 15 months and 5-years-old.
The killings have prompted widespread fear and rumors of a serial killer that might be stalking Lincoln Heights.
The LAPD joined Wednesday's candlelight gathering to dispel fears in the community.
"Presently, there is no connection between the two homicides," LAPD Capt. Anita Ortega said.
She added: "The LAPD has not put out any information regarding a van of any sort. The Los Angeles Police Department has not put out a composite of any suspect. It's misinformation."
For many of the residents who attended the gathering, the straight-talk provided some relief.
"I feel a little bit more comfortable because a lot of the rumors were cleared," resident Cynthia Magana said.
"I'm a lot more relieved now that I know this information."
Still, if the Lozano and Guzman killings are not related, that means two killers are on the loose, a less than comforting thought for the community.
Homicide detectives said they will continue to meet and compare details on the two cases, but they reiterated that they do not believe they are linked.
Residents gathered together to march through the neighborhood in an effort to demonstrate their solidarity and "Take Lincoln Heights Back."
"The city of Lincoln Heights has endured two tragic events in this past year," L.A. City Councilman Ed Reyes said at the gathering.
Reyes is referring to the murder of 17-year-old Michelle Lozano last year, and last week's discovery of the body of 22-year-old Bree'Anna Guzman.
Lozano's body was discovered last April near the 5 Freeway.
Guzman disappeared on Dec. 26 while walking to a nearby pharmacy.
Her body was found Thursday near the 2 Freeway, obscured by bushes and partially covered in debris.
Guzman had two young daughters ages 15 months and 5-years-old.
The killings have prompted widespread fear and rumors of a serial killer that might be stalking Lincoln Heights.
The LAPD joined Wednesday's candlelight gathering to dispel fears in the community.
"Presently, there is no connection between the two homicides," LAPD Capt. Anita Ortega said.
She added: "The LAPD has not put out any information regarding a van of any sort. The Los Angeles Police Department has not put out a composite of any suspect. It's misinformation."
For many of the residents who attended the gathering, the straight-talk provided some relief.
"I feel a little bit more comfortable because a lot of the rumors were cleared," resident Cynthia Magana said.
"I'm a lot more relieved now that I know this information."
Still, if the Lozano and Guzman killings are not related, that means two killers are on the loose, a less than comforting thought for the community.
Homicide detectives said they will continue to meet and compare details on the two cases, but they reiterated that they do not believe they are linked.
