Parent Stabs Daughter to Death and Attempts to Kill Herself NR10357cj

July 12, 2010

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Juvenile Division’s Abused Child Section detectives are asking for the public’s help with providing information that would assist them in the investigation of a mother who apparently murdered her 10-year-old daughter and then tried to take her own life.  

On July 09, 2010 at approximately 2:30 .a.m., Department of Defense Police Officers, and LAPD Harbor Area Officers responded to an Attempt Murder/Suicide radio call at the Fort MacArthur Air Force Base.  Once the officers arrived at the scene they observed the young girl and the mother suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Los Angeles City Fire Department and ambulance personnel responded to the scene and transported the mother and daughter to a local hospital.  The mother was in stable condition but the daughter died from her wounds several hours later.   

A preliminary investigation by LAPD detectives suggests that the 10-year old victim was in bed when her mother, Bong Sook Chavez, stabbed her multiple times and then tried to harm herself.  

LAPD Harbor Area Homicide detectives partnered with Juvenile Division detectives and the coroner’s office to process the crime scene and conduct the investigation.  Juvenile Division’s Abused Child Section detectives have assumed responsibility for this case.  

Investigators established probable cause to believe that Chavez was responsible for the killing of her daughter.  Chavez was booked for murder under Penal Code Section 187(A) but remains hospitalized.  The LAPD has partnered with the District Attorney’s Office to review the merits of the case for filing considerations.   

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact LAPD Juvenile Division Detectives at the LAPD 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.