Woman Found Stabbed to Death in Motel NR11453rf

September 30, 2011

Los Angeles: LAPD homicide detectives are investigating a brutal murder in which a woman was stabbed to death with an unknown sharp object in a motel.

Two days ago on Sept. 28 at around 6:45 p.m., 26-year-old Christina Miner of Los Angeles was fatally stabbed in a motel room in the 7500 block of South San Pedro Street.  Housekeeping staff discovered her body the next day and summoned paramedics who responded and pronounced her dead.

The detectives’ investigation has identified the suspect as 32-year-old Los Angeles resident Tabitha Valdes and revealed the motive for the killing to be a personal dispute.  After stabbing Miner, Valdes left the motel on foot.  She is now in custody and charged with murder, and her bail has been set at $1 million.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Detectives Lyman Doster or Dean Vinluan at 213-485-1383.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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.