Sun Valley: On January 23, 2002, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Los Angeles Fire Department personnel were summoned to a residence located in the 7400 block of Craner Avenue. Inside the home, along with responding Los Angeles Police Officers, they discovered a homicide crime scene. Found dead at the scene was Sun Valley Resident 24 year-old Mariana Michelle Barahona and her two daughters, six year-old Marissa Beltran and two year-old Natalie Beltran.

Approximately one hour later, January 24, 2002, at 12:30 a.m., Orange County Sheriff's Department Deputies received a 911 call from a distraught male who threatened suicide at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Katella Ave in Orange County. The man, 27 year-old Stanton resident Julian Beltran, was taken into custody.

The two police calls were directly related.

LAPD Police arrested Julian Beltran for the murder of the three females. According to LAPD Detectives, Suspect Beltran and victim Barahona were the parents of the two young victims. The two adults, according to immediate family members, had an 8 year relationship and were separated at the time of the murders. Suspect Beltran was booked for murder and being held without bail.

Anyone with further information should contact North Hollywood Homicide Unit at 818-623-4045 during business hours. During off-hours and on weekends call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

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