Full Notification

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Lieutenant David Coleman will be available today, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Sheriff’s Information Bureau, 4700 Ramona Boulevard, Monterey Park, to discuss the investigation behind the arrest made in Brenda Sierra’s murder.

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Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Investigators are pleased to announce an arrest in the 2002 kidnap and murder of Brenda Sierra.

At approximately 7:30 in the morning of October 18th, 2002, Brenda was walking to a friend’s house on her way to school, when she was abducted from the street.  Her body was discovered on October 19, 2002 in the “Valley of Enchantment” area of the City of Crestline, in San Bernardino County.

From the time of the discovery of Brenda’s body, her murder was initially investigated by the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.  In April of 2008, however, the investigation was relinquished to Investigators of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau who have worked tirelessly to bring her killers to justice.

On Friday, February 27, 2015, 27 year-old Rosemary Chavira, a Hispanic female, was arrested near her home in Lancaster for her role in Brenda’s Kidnap and Murder.  Charges have been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The complaint charges Chavira with special circumstances of felony murder during the commission of a kidnapping and rape and gang allegations. Because she was 15 years-old at the time of the murders, she faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged.

Investigators have been able to identify three specific locations relating to Brenda’s kidnap, rape and murder.

Investigators have determined that Rosemary Chavira lived in the 500 block of South La Verne Avenue, East Los Angeles, at the time of Brenda’s kidnap and murder.

Brenda was kidnapped in the area of Whittier Boulevard and Leonard Avenue in East Los Angeles. She was taken to a residence in the 600 block of Williamson Avenue, East Los Angeles, where she was sexually assaulted.

She was then taken to the 900 block of Miller Avenue, Los Angeles, where she was bludgeoned to death.  Later, her body was transported to the Crestline area where her body was discarded.

Investigators anticipate filing similar charges on at least three other suspects within the next 30 days.

Investigators continue to seek the public’s assistance regarding this investigation. Anyone who has knowledge of the event, or activities associated with Brenda Sierra's assault or murder are encouraged to contact Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau (323) 890-5500.

Forwarded by:

Juanita Navarro-Suarez, Deputy

Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

@LASDJuanita

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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff       

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Previous press release is as follows:

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Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives Seek the Public’s Assistance in Solving the Murder of 15-year-old Brenda Sierra

Sheriff’s Homicide Detectives held a press conference today to seek the public’s assistance in indentifying and locating three individuals whom they believe were involved in the 2002 kidnap and brutal murder of Brenda Sierra, a 15-year-old high school student from the East Los Angeles community.

            At approximately 7:30 a.m. in the morning on October 18th 2002, Brenda was walking to a friend’s house on her way to school when she was abducted from the sidewalk.  Investigators believe the abduction occurred in the area of Leonard Avenue and Whittier Boulevard.  Her body was discovered the next day on October 19, 2002 in the “Valley of Enchantment” area of the City of Crestline, in San Bernardino County. 

            Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators have been persistent in their pursuit of those responsible for Brenda’s murder and have developed information that the two individuals depicted in the composite drawings are “persons-of-interest” in the kidnap and murder of Brenda. Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the two individuals, their current whereabouts and any other information which may assist detectives in locating them.  At the time of Brenda’s murder, the two were known street gang members who frequented the area where Brenda was abducted.  Witnesses have come forth and provided vital information relating to this case but  detectives still need more to come forward. 

            The third “person-of-interest” is George Barraza who is believed to be in Mexico, but may travel back and forth across the border.  Currently, he is wanted for questioning in Brenda’s murder; however he is also wanted on a “no-bail” arrest warrant for a prior narcotics conviction. 

            Because Brenda was abducted on her way to school during the morning rush-hour, detectives believe that local residents may have seen the contact between Brenda and her abductors. Detectives have gathered information that one or two females may have made contact with Brenda on the street, which facilitated her abduction.  Detectives are asking the public to contact them if they have any information or recollection of this incident.  In addition, detectives are seeking any information from the residents in the Crestline area who may have seen the individuals depicted in the flyers attached, on or around October 18th or 19th 2002.  Witnesses in the area have previously noted a “suspicious, dark, SUV” in the area, prior to the discovery of Brenda’s body.  

Through this press conference, Sheriff’s investigators are hoping that due to the passage of time, those who were involved, or who have knowledge of Brenda’s senseless murder, have had a change of heart or a change of conscious.  Lt. Dave Colman stated, “Certainly, we hope that anyone with knowledge of this horrific incident will overcome any fear of coercion or retaliation and come forward and bring justice to Brenda and her family.”

Nicole Nishida

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Sheriff’s Information Bureau

Public Information Officer

Cell (323) 810-1973

Office (323) 267-4815

Twitter @lasdNicole