A 2024 South El Monte murder was among the homicide cases for which Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced rewards Friday to help find the killers.
Newsom’s office announced that a total of $300,000 in rewards was being made available for six murders, $50,000 each, across California, in hopes the money would lead to arrests and convictions.
The South El Monte homicide involved 34-year-old Estevan Mejia, who was found in a dirt lot near Durfee Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area with a gunshot wound to the head.
After Mejia’s body was discovered, investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department realized his Toyota Corolla was missing, prompting them to seek the public’s help.
Following tips from the public, the vehicle was recovered the next day in a dried riverbed about three miles from where Mejia was found. The car had a flat tire and had been stripped of its radio and other valuables, according to the governor’s office.
Mejia was a nurse working for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at the time of his death.
“Every family deserves answers when a loved one is taken by violence,” Newsom said. “If you know something about these cases, please reach out to local law enforcement.”
Anyone with information about the killing was asked to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Amber Montenegro at 323-890-5500.
Under state law, law enforcement agencies may ask the governor to offer rewards in specified unsolved cases after investigators have exhausted all leads.
Five other unsolved murders for which the governor’s office is offering rewards occurred in San Mateo, Sacramento, Fresno, San Diego and Ventura counties.
