Two lives were lost in separate incidents that occurred nearly within an hour of each other on Saturday, as the LBPD searches for answers and asks for help from the community.
According to releases from the Police Department, a 76-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her Peterson Avenue home and was found by a family member around 11:00am on Saturday morning. The victim, Leam Sovanasky, was a Cambodian refugee who, like so many others, fled the war-torn nation at the height of the Khmer Rouge and brought her seven children to Long Beach. A grandmother described as a family “matriarch,” she had been released from the hospital just three days earlier due to high blood pressure. The Press-Telegram‘s Kelly Puente does an excellent job with details of the saddening tale here.
A survivor of wars and loss, Sovanasy stressed the importance of keeping family together and appreciating the opportunities available in the United States.
“She taught us to appreciate everything we have here,” said her great-nephew, Lunong Si.
The grandmother of 25 was a devout Buddhist and well-known member in the Long Beach Cambodian community, but she also adopted some classic American traits.
“She was a huge Lakers fan,” said grandson Thom Phan, 33.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detectives Russ Moss or Teri Hubert at 562.570.7244.
On that same Saturday, authorities were called to Washington Place about an hour later to find fifteen-year-old Ezra Davis, who suffered a gunshot wound to his upper-body outside of his home. Davis was transported to a local hospital and was later pronounced dead. Puente tells that story here.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detectives Daniel Mendoza or Todd Johnson at 562.570.7244.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor