West Hills - On Monday, February 5, 2001, at approximately 6:30 a.m., City of Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters were summoned to a burning residence located at 7235 Pomelo Drive in the West Hills area of Los Angeles. As the firefighters extinguished the fire and investigated the area and residence, they discovered the lifeless bodies of William and Bertha Lasky inside one of the bedrooms. The Lasky's had been murdered and the fire appears to have been set by the suspect(s) in an attempt to conceal evidence of the crime. This crime was particularly heinous because Mr. and Mrs. Lasky were elderly and in their 70's.

The motive for the crime is unknown and the suspects and murder weapon remain outstanding.

Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives are conducting the investigation. Anyone with information which could be helpful in solving this crime can contact Robbery Homicide Division Detectives D. Lambkin and T. Marcia at 213-485-2531.

On Thursday, March 1, 2001, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide Division and City Councilwoman Laura Chick will hold a Press Conference at the home of murder victims William and Bertha Lasky, located at 7235 Pomelo Drive, to announce that the City Council is providing a $25,000.00 reward to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in this murder case. The motive for the crime is unknown and the suspects and murder weapon remains outstanding. Additional information regarding the details of the murder case itself will be provided during the Press Conference.

Crime Alert
Property Taken

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.