$50K reward offered for information in South L.A. mother’s murder

Kishuandra Gatlin
Kishuandra Gatlin Photo credit LAPD

Two years after a mother of two was murdered in her South Los Angeles home, the city of L.A. is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her killer.

Kishuandra Gatlin was found stabbed to death in her home on March 29, 2023. Her mother, Lucy McDowell, says she and Gatlin’s two daughters feel the loss every day.

“She's not here to guide them. She's not here to protect them,” McDowell said. “And me being their grandmother, I can't fix this for them. I can't hide it from them. This is our new normal.”

Neighbor Sharon Roux said Gatlin’s death left a void in the area.

“She had a big heart and she helped everybody, especially those who were down and out, those who were hungry, didn't have a place to stay,” she said. “She opened up her home and her heart.”

LAPD South Bureau homicide detectives think people who were living in a nearby homeless encampment may have seen the killer that night.

“It was a very busy area and I know and I wanna ask if anybody knows of any family members that were living in that area or around that area that might have information about what happened to please call us,” said Detective Iris Romero. “No tip, no information is too little, and there's nothing that we won’t follow.”

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Anyone with information was urged to contact Romero at 323-786-5110. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: LAPD