Man Stabs His Girlfriend to Death NR10298cj

June 4, 2010

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Rampart Homicide Unit detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a man who stabbed and killed 37-year-old Deborah Alvarado.

Yesterday at around 8:30 p.m., LAPD Rampart Area patrol officers responded to a radio call of a man harassing a woman in the 100 block of Mountain View Avenue.  Upon arriving, the officers found a woman lying in the roadway bleeding.  The woman was later identified as Deborah Alvarado of South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles City paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to USC Medical Center where she was treated for multiple stab wounds but was later pronounced dead.

Acting on several tips and leads, officers detained 26-year-old Simon Vega of Los Angeles.  Investigators established probable cause to believe that Vega was responsible for the killing of Alvarado. Vega was then arrested and later booked for murder under Penal Code Section 187(A).

During the investigation, a bladed instrument was recovered at the scene by detectives.  The recovered item is believed to be the weapon Vega used.

During subsequent interviews with witnesses and the suspect, detectives learned that Vega and Alvarado had been dating for the past year.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Rampart Homicide Unit Detective Jeff Cortina at 213-484-3641.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  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.