Authorities this week urged the public to come forward with tips to help them solve cold cases in San Diego, La Mesa and Oceanside.
The governor’s office on Friday offered $50,000 rewards for information that solves cold cases across the state, including five locally.
“Every family deserves answers and justice,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “These rewards send a message that every case matters, every victim matters, and that we are all working toward increased accountability. If you know something, it is your duty to come forward.”
The state’s actions followed another development this week, in which Oceanside police announced an increase in the reward for information about the death of Brandon Keiser, 35, on March 22, 2016.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and San Diego County Crime Stoppers have worked together over the past decade to offer rewards in the hunt for Keiser’s killer. The agencies now have raised the total to $25,000.
In addition, they believe Keiser’s death could be connected to another shooting, on Feb. 27, 2016, in San Marcos. Those with information may call the Oceanside Police Department’s Investigation Tip Line at (760) 435-4573.
The local cases in the state’s reward offers include a woman whose body was dumped in San Diego and two young service members:
- Teresa Madrigal, 33 – went shopping in Riverside County on Feb. 23, 1999. Her body was found the next day near Lake Poway, more than 60 miles from her home. She was the mother of four children. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide/Cold Case Unit at 858-285-6330.
- Arthur Jordan, 28 (in featured photo) – was killed in a drive-by shooting while sitting in his car, parked on Martin Avenue in Logan Heights, on July 18, 2018. Anyone with information is asked to call San Diego Police Department Sgt. Joel Tien at 619-531-2323.
- Gregory Ruffin, 22 – was shot while leaving a friend’s apartment in the 300 block of 47th Street near Chollas View on Feb. 24, 2019. Anyone with information is urged to call SDPD Detective Sgt. Eric McCoole at 619-531-2943.
- LeMontee Stevenson, 19 – was shot while at a party on Marcy Avenue in Logan Heights on Aug. 17, 2019. Police say the Navy sailor broke up a fight among partygoers and left, but returned to the party to retrieve his lost keys, when one of the people involved in the fight shot him. Anyone with information is asked to call McCoole at 619- 531-2943.
- Corneilius Brown, 22 – was killed in the doorway of his apartment in the 4300 block of Echo Court in La Mesa on April 24, 2021. Authorities say two suspects knocked on the Navy sailor’s door, then shot him when he opened it. Anyone with information is asked to call La Mesa police Detective Mike Butcher at 619-667-7538.
Tipsters also may submit information anonymously to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or online.
The governor’s office offered the $50,000 rewards in the deaths of 30 people across the state dating back to 1990.
