Suspect Arrested in Double Homicide

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, October 5, 2000

"Suspect Arrested in Double Homicide"

Los Angeles – On September 21, 2000, Los Angeles Police officers assigned to Harbor Community Police Station were summoned to the scene of Terminal Island where the bodies of a female and young child were found bound together and floating in the water at Berth 262 in San Pedro. Detectives assigned to Robbery-Homicide Division were called to the scene and immediately assumed responsibility for the investigation of the case.

Robbery-Homicide Division Detectives aggressively investigated the case, committing countless hours. Based on their investigation, detectives determined the identities of the victims to be Yuriko Taga, female Asian, 38 years of age and her daughter, Michelle Taga, female Asian, 4 years old.

On October 2, 2000, following an intensive and lengthy investigation into this matter, Kazumi Taga, male Asian, 50 years of age, the husband of Yuriko and father of Michelle, was placed under arrest for 187 (A) of the California Penal Code, for the murder of both victims.

On October 4, 2000, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed two counts of murder with an allegation of special circumstances for multiple murders against Kazumi Taga. The motive for the murders has not been determined.

Investigators assigned to Robbery-Homicide Division are continuing with the investigation.

Photographs of Arrestee Kazumi Taga and Victims Yuriko Taga and Michelle Taga, are available for viewing at Media Relations Section.

For further information regarding this press release, contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

This press release was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer-in-Charge, Media Relations Section.

For Release 5:00 pm PDT
October 5, 2000