Peng's then-girlfriend Sonita Heng, was charged as an accomplice and has negotiated a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against Astaphan and Peng. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. According to court records, Astaphan continues to be held on a $10 million bail, while Heng was released on her own recognizance in January. To piece together how the detectives investigated the case, The Times reviewed affidavits the detectives submitted to judges when applying for search warrants. He doesnt have to tell his mother where hes going. The 10 most expensive zip codes in the U.S. I think theres no such thing as justice We kid ourselves and say were fighting for justice, but in reality, were just fighting for these individuals to obtain punishment, Yajaira Hernandez said. Habib Balian, who is prosecuting the case. Two persons of interest in the case Ethan Astaphan, 27, and 20-year-old Sonita Heng were identified as homicide suspects, according to LAPD. The detectives got a search warrant for his phone records. Peng could not be reached for comment. I wish I had the knowledge, power or money to do more.. Before joining The Times in 2018, he covered city news and state politics at the Hartford Courant. 'Silver Spoons' star, MyPillow guy helped get Kenosha gunm Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert, Georgia player under fire after racist remark during 2023 NFL Draft on livestream, $76K NJ boarding school admits falling 'tragically short' in protecting teen who killed self after relentless bullying, 'rapist' taunts, Pregnant Rihanna models vintage Chanel ahead of Met Gala 2023, Inside Nick Cannons extravagant Six Flags celebration for twins 12th birthday, Prince Harrys coronation role still a mystery as Williams is revealed, NY Post Sports Reporter Zach Braziller breaks down the Knicks game 1 loss to the Heat, Elon Musk Tells Bill Maher Woke Mind Virus Is Dangerous On Real Time, Padma Lakshmi claps back at trolls: 'I have boobs, I have nipples'. He never returned home. He had just finished a shift working at a marijuana dispensary and had texted his mother saying he'd be home soon, the Los Angeles Times reported. Astaphan and Heng had been arrested that morning. The video, which is described in an affidavit an LAPD detective submitted to a judge to obtain a search warrant, showed Astaphan, Peng and Hernndez in the dispensary the night of Sept. 22. Detectives arrested two people Thursday in connection with Hernndez's death, Ethan Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, according to the LAPD. Peng's then girlfriend, 22-year-old Sonita Heng, is accused of being an accomplice. The two were arrested under suspicion of murder on Nov. 19, four days after investigators found Hernndez's remains in a shallow grave dug off Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County, PEOPLE previously reported. Every time she called, the detectives told her, Were looking into it. She understands now they couldnt tell her about their investigation, but at the time she believed they didnt share her urgency the urgency of a mother whose child is gone. The cause of death was not released, but police said he "appeared to be the victim of a homicide.". WHEN THE SHOT WAS JUST HALF A DOSE, THAT GREW TO 90%. THE TEEN WAS NOT HURT. Leading Jewish organisation demands urgent meeting with The Guardian's editor after newspaper is engulfed by STEPHEN POLLARD: It's often the self-proclaimed anti-racists who are the foulest of the lot. Detectives arrested two people Thursday in connection with Hernndez's death, Ethan Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, according to the LAPD. It. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Yajaira Hernandez holds her cellphone with a photo of a cross placed where her son Juan Carlos Hernandez was found dead along Afton Road in the Mojave Desert. The pieces were coming together, but a day after seeing the video, the detectives learned two of their suspects were no longer in the country. Carnage outside the nightclubs of Britain with Bank holiday treat! Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 27, is currently facing one count of murder, . Juan Carlos Hernandez, a 21-year-old college student from South Los Angeles, disappeared on Sept. 22 and his body was found nearly two months later in a remote area between Barstow and Baker. Both were ordered to return to court Dec. 1, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. Astaphan faces up to 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. Her phone rang that evening. His car was found two days later in the 6400 block of South Figueroa Street, nearly three miles away. Brothers. Hernandez, a student at El Camino College in Torrance, was last seen alive on Sept. 22 in the 8100 block of South Western Avenue. Hernndez went that afternoon to VIP Collective LA, the dispensary where for the last six months her son had worked under the table as a budtender. She had worried about his safety when he took the job, but his wages helped pay his tuition. Hernandez, a student at El Camino College, was reported missing on the night of September 22, after finishing an afternoon shift at theat VIP Collective dispensary on the corner of Western Avenue and 81st Street. 19 December. MyNewsLA.com wont sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. The Mail follows in Prince Harry's footsteps with a stay at a breathtaking resort on the isle of Grenada Now Leeds' own EX-PLAYERS pile in on their 'embarrassing' entitled stars who ignored young fans waiting to Leeds considering SACKING Javi Gracia - 10 weeks after he replaced Jesse Marsch - after run of five games 'We're not your enemies!' In one of the photos, standing to the left of Astaphan and Hernandez is another man that Heng identified during the preliminary hearing as Peng. A few minutes after 11 p.m., Astaphan suddenly took Hernndez to the ground, put him in a chokehold and held him down until his body went still, according to the affidavit. On Tuesday, May 3, Hernandez went to Clara Shortridge Foltz Courthouse for a hearing in the case of The People of Calif. vs. Sonita Heng. Astaphan pleaded not guilty on Monday after being charged with murder, while Heng pleaded not guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Matthew Ormseth is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Search and Rescue Team found Hernandezs remains Sunday in a shallow grave along Afton Canyon Road, east of Interstate 15, north of Barstow, police said. They were being held on $10million bail each. SAC, Top 5 Things to try at Caf Camino and El Cappuccino, El Camino to hold emergency evacuation drill, Turnout shy in student government election, Meta-Majors Center aims to connect majors, services, clubs, El Caminos Eid al-Fitr prayer leaves feelings of unity and disappointment, Warriors beach volleyball team scores back-to-back wins to finish regular season, Student Health Services offer weekly mental health workshops, The student news site of El Camino College, Trial of Ethan Astaphan has possible start date Sept. 6. She left her phone number and asked that the owner call her. 'Hes a great kid, smart, kind, great personality, always helpful,' his mother, Yajaira Hernandez, told KTLA in late September. 2,066 posts. Before the start of the May 3 hearing, Hernandez mother, Yajaira Hernandez, expressed her exhaustion and frustration with a long process that makes her healing difficult. Interactive map shows how average age of nation varies by region as Mobsters burned alive, public stonings, gang-rape, ransom demands and political assassinations: How violence Mystery of Gina Lollobrigida's missing 9 million: Battle for Italian sex symbol's fortune takes a new twist 2 charged after body of missing college student from South L.A. found buried in Mojave Desert, Missing community college student found in shallow grave near Barstow - Los Angeles Times. A billboard in memory of Juan Carlos Hernandez at the corner of Florence and Western avenues. I'm a nanny and these two simple steps will guarantee your child sleeps for a full 12 hours every night. It wasnt like her son, a 21-year-old student at El Camino College who hoped to transfer to USC to study engineering, to stay out all night and not tell her. In a preliminary hearing was held over three days from Monday, Feb. 28 to Wednesday, March 2, 2022 before Judge Michael E. Pastor in Department 41. It is unclear at this time what led law enforcement officials to that location. How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! I dont think people understand that, Yajaira Hernandez said. Ethan Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, are in custody on suspicion of murdering a community college student who went missing in L.A. and was found dead in a shallow desert grave. And some of the cases began with a missing persons report but ended with a murder charge. TEO: A TEENAGER UNDER ARREST FOLLOWING A CONFRONTATION WITH POLICE IN YOLO COUNTY. The LAPD hasnt disclosed a connection between the suspects and Hernandez. Astaphan's defendant, 20-year-old Sonita Heng, has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact, officials said. Hernndez, a student at El Camino College, was. Collective. "But I still feel blessed that we found his body.". Her sons 22nd birthday came and went. Peng looked on as Astaphan choked Hernndez, the detective wrote. Thanks for contacting us. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, set to transfer to the University of Southern California. Yajaira Hernandez also shared her perspective on crimes like this. When she wasnt working, she spent countless hours taping up fliers across Los Angeles, and in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties as well. EILEEN: THIS WEATHER SYSTEM IS DIPPING A LITTLE FURTHER SOUTH SO IT LEFT A DUSTING IN THE HIGH SIERRA. He told Hernndez the security cameras at the shop provided only a live feed, so there was no recording that might offer some clues of what happened. HE PULLED OUT A GUN, THROUGH IT INTO THE BUSHES AND RAN. Hes a great kid, smart, kind, great personality, always helpful, his mother, Yajaira Hernandez, told KTLA a few days after his disappearance. They seized its security camera system and discovered that E had lied to Hernndez. Im sorry if Im overwhelming anyone with my videos, posts or anything, she wrote on Instagram. Firefighters Discover Man's Body While Battling Apartment Fire in South L.A. Police Investigate No-Hit Shooting in Long Beach, Chance of Showers, Strong Winds Predicted for Riverside County, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. c. 738. Two people have been arrested and charged in connection to the killing of Juan Carlos Hernandez in Los Angeles. When Hernndez reported the calls to the police, her sons case was handed to Jennifer Hammer and Daniel Jaramillo, detectives in the LAPDs Robbery-Homicide Division who specialize in kidnappings, extortions and other complex crimes. Technicians at the LAPDs lab went to work on the cameras and realized someone had tampered with them. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Required fields are marked *. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCRA-TV. Plane crashes into hillside in Beverly Crest; 1 dead, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Best Mothers Day Gifts for moms obsessed with books, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A trial provided details into the killing of 16-year-old Brayan Andino but could not explain what a prosecutor called a culture of death.. LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division detectives, with assistance from a SWAT team, served search warrants last Thursday at the homes of Astaphan and Heng, identifying them at the time as ``persons of interest'' and arresting them later that day. Juan Hernandez, a 21-year-old South Los Angeles man missing since September of this year has been found dead, the Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday. Yajaira Hernandezs 21-year-old son, Juan Carlos Hernandez, went to work one afternoon in September 2020 and never came home. Juan Cookie Carlos Hernandez was reported missing after being last seen on Sept. 22 in the 8100 block of South Western Avenue, and his vehicle was found two days later in the 6400 block of South Figueroa Street, nearly three miles away, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Around 2:30 the next morning, some prostitutes working on Figueroa Street flagged down two LAPD officers and pointed out a Honda Civic idling near the corner of 64th Street, according to a search warrant affidavit and what police told Hernndez. Digital Original: Juan Carlos Hernndez's remains were found by authorities in a "shallow" grave east on Nov. 15, according to the LAPD. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). / KCAL News. This is him. 'Woke' Google bosses ban staff from using terms including 'man hours', 'you guys', 'blacklist' and 'chubby' Do YOU live in Britain's oldest town? VIP Collective LA was one of three pot shops on the same block of Western Avenue between 81st and 82nd streets. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Two days later, cops found his 2020 Honda Civic abandoned about two miles from his job at a marijuana dispensary, the Los Angeles Times reported. Seeing it, Peoples realized he had heard something the night Hernndez went missing. In my case, so my sons death wouldnt be in vain, I would force them to take classes to understand how to become better, so they can realize firsthand the damage they did to us and understand the severity. Anyone with information was asked to call detectives Jaramillo and Hammer at 213-486-6840. Well send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon. If convicted as charged, Astaphan faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison, while Heng could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. I AM TEO TORRES. Over the next eight weeks, Hernndez's family worked hard to raise awareness for their missing loved one, handing out fliers, picketing outside police headquarters demanding action and asking local officials to issue a reward. LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division detectives, with assistance from a SWAT team, served search warrants Thursday at the homes of Ethan Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, who were persons of interest, according to police. The body of Juan Carlos Hernndez, 21, was discovered in a shallow grave dug off Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County. Collective marijuana dispensary at 8113 South Western Avenue. Astaphan, of San Gabriel, faces one count of murder. Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 27, appeared in a downtown courtroom and pleaded not guilty in the killing of Juan "Cookie" Carlos Hernandez, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Back it in. A vehicle backed up to the rear door of the dispensary and bumped into the building. Believing Hernandez was likely the victim of a crime, police called the FBI for help in the case, according to LAPD. The last call he had received was at 10:25 p.m. on the night he disappeared, from the same number E had used to call his mother. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wearing T-shirts printed with her sons face, they taped fliers to the metal barricades on the steps of City Hall and marched carrying signs. His body was found in a shallow grave dug up along Interstate 15 on Nov. 15, police said. or debate this issue live on our message boards. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. All three of the small, shabby storefronts were unlicensed and operating illegally, a detective wrote in an affidavit. The cameras did record. He was last seen leaving his job at a marijuana dispensary in South Los Angeles earlier that night and had sent his mother a text saying he'd be home soon, according to the Los Angeles Times. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. He also said he didnt want the police to get involved. If found guilty, he may serve the possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Heng faces three years in prison. Following the disappearance, the family started a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses as family and friends took unpaid leave to assist in the search. Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 27, is currently facing one count of murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced in a press release on Monday. When she wants to be near him, she goes to Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. A joint effort by the LAPDs Robbery-Homicide Division, the San Bernardinos Sheriffs Search and Rescue Team, the San Bernardinos Sheriffs Homicide, and the FBI led to the discovery of Hernndezs remains on Nov. 15, 2020. Ethan Astaphan, 27, of San Gabriel was charged Monday with murder and Sonita Heng, 20, of Los Angeles was charged with being an accessory after the fact, the Los Angeles County district attorney's . At the time of his disappearance, Hernandez, known to his loved ones as 'Cookie,' was preparing to transfer to the University of Southern California to pursue an engineering degree. Missing Calif. College Student Is Found Dead in Shallow Grave, and 2 Suspects Have Been Arrested, One Suspect Arrested, Another Sought in Slaying of N.J. Kindergarten Teacher Found Dead in Shallow Grave, Cold Cases Heat Up: How Advances in DNA Technology Are Helping to Bring Justice for Victims, Alaska Teen Killed 'Best Friend' After Man Online Allegedly Offered $9M for Videos of Murder in Catfish Scheme, New '20/20' Episode Examines Shocking Murders of 4 University of Idaho Students, 'Why Did You Kill My Daddy? Your email address will not be published. Judge Lynn Hobbs presided over the hearing in Department 117. WINTERS POLICE SAY THE TEENAGER WAS OUTSIDE A POLICE DEPARTMENT ARMED WITH A KNIFE. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, Wed been trying to talk to Ethan about this boy, she said, adding that Astaphan and Peng moved to California about two years ago. 615 following. Her sons remains had been found at the foot of an embankment off the side of a desert road. Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, were both charged in the Sept. 22, 2020 death of 21-year-old El Camino College student Juan Carlos Hernndez, a news release by the District Attorney's office read. Juan Hernandez, 21, was reporting missing by his family Sept. 22 after not returning home from work. Sign up here for our free newsletters. Peoples heard the hatch of the vehicle fall open, then grunting noises men make when they are carrying something heavy. The suspicion she felt about the phone call soon gave way to dread. And hard as it was, she reminded herself that he was capable of making his own decisions. He was always very attentive, careful always supporting me in whatever I needed, she said. TEO: GOOD MORNING. Also gone, she realized with mounting alarm, was her gray Honda Civic, which her son had driven the previous day to his job at a marijuana dispensary in South Los Angeles. He saw headlights and heard someone call out, Turn around. FBI agents alerted them that two weeks earlier, Peng and Heng had purchased same-day tickets to Istanbul, Turkey, by way of Paris and boarded their flight carrying $9,500 in cash. SAC, Top 5 Things to try at Caf Camino and El Cappuccino, El Camino to hold emergency evacuation drill, Turnout shy in student government election, Meta-Majors Center aims to connect majors, services, clubs, El Caminos Eid al-Fitr prayer leaves feelings of unity and disappointment, Warriors beach volleyball team scores back-to-back wins to finish regular season, Student Health Services offer weekly mental health workshops, The student news site of El Camino College, Hearings of two individuals connected to ECC students death are postponed. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Your Privacy Choices/(Opt-Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). TO OFFICERS HAVE MINOR INJURIES. Please enter valid email address to continue. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. She blanketed Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Reddit with her sons story, signing off each post with the hashtag #helpmefindjuan. Astaphan and Heng are being held on a $10 million bond, according to online jail records. Both were ordered to return to court Dec. 1, when a date is expected to. Two people have been charged in the killing of a Los Angeles marijuana dispensary worker whose body was found in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert, authorities said Monday.Juan Carlos Hernandez, a 21-year-old college student from South Los Angeles, disappeared on Sept. 22 and his body was found nearly two months later in a remote area between Barstow and Baker.Ethan Astaphan, 27, of San Gabriel was charged Monday with murder and Sonita Heng, 20, of Los Angeles was charged with being an accessory after the fact, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said in a statement.They were being held on $10 million bail each. But I still feel blessed that we found his body.. His bed was empty and still made up. Shivering in her jail cell and huddled with fellow prisoners for warmth, Ahn Ei Sook (later known by her married name, Esther Ahn Kim) heard moaning from a nearby cell. In a pre-trial hearing in the case of the People of California vs. Ethan Kedar Astaphan on Tuesday, May 3, at Clara Shortridge Foltz Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Astaphan, 28, of San Gabriel, waived his rights to a speedy trial and agreed to return to court on July 6 for another pre-trial hearing. The screen for King Charles' coronation anointing is revealed, Monstrous tornado seen bearing down on Palm Beach, Ukraine drone strike hits major fuel depot in port Sevastopol, Braverman: People crossing Channel are 'at odds with British values', Historic chairs to be reused by the King for the coronation service, Women's rights activists and pro-trans campaigners separated, Russian freight train derails and bursts into flames after explosion, Moment large saltwater crocodile snatches pet dog off beach in QLD, Doctor slams Laurence Fox for 'spewing out biased views', 'You motherf***ers don't understand': Bam Margera details 'turmoil', Australian tourist allegedly spits in the face of a Java Imam, Hundreds of Household Division members rehearse for coronation. Hernndezs mother knew in her gut something wasnt right when her son didnt return from his job at a marijuana dispensary. 2 charged in killing of SoCal marijuana dispensary worker. Sonita Heng, 20, of Harbor City, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact, also entered a not guilty plea. Astaphan's defendant, 20-year-old Sonita Heng, has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact, officials said. The cause of death was not released, but police said he appeared to be the victim of a homicide.. A man and a woman have been charged with the killing of a 21-year-old Los Angeles marijuana dispensary worker whose body was found in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert nearly two months after his disappearance. Kelly Clarkson's Home Collection Is Up to 74% Off During Way Day Deals, The Best Wayfair Way Day Deals 2023 Starting at $30, Wayfair's Way Day Sale Includes Up to 60% Off Outdoor Furniture Here's What to Shop ASAP, Amazon Has So Many Good Mother's Day Gifts on Sale Right Now. Less than a week after he vanished, someone contacted the family and tried to extort money from them for his safe return, the Los Angeles Police Department said. Astaphan and Heng were identified as suspects and arrested after LAPD detectives and SWAT officers served search warrants at their homes last Thursday. If convicted, Astaphan faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison, while Heng could face up to three years in prison, according to prosecutors. Ethan Kedar Astaphan appeared in a downtown courtroom and pleaded not guilty in the killing of Juan "Cookie" Carlos Hernandez, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. A missing persons flier for Juan Carlos Hernndez, is posted across the street from the marijuana dispensary in South Los Angeles where he worked and was last seen. Samthann / svhn /, [1] modernised spelling Samhthann or Samthana, is an Irish folk saint, purportedly a Christian nun and abbess in Early Christian Ireland. Peng was apprehended last week in Istanbul and is being held pending extradition to Los Angeles on a murder charge. On November 15, LAPD detectives, sheriff's deputies and FBI agents found Hernandez's body buried in a remote area off Afton Canyon Road near Interstate 15 between Barstow and Baker. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Hernandez' family reported him missing on the night of September 22,. The hearings of two suspects accused of murdering an El Camino College student were postponed until Sept. 21 for unknown reasons. Others, suffering from mental illness or addiction, slipped away from. Knowing her son is not lost, hungry or in pain has brought Hernndez some solace. Yajaira Hernandez holds a photo of her son, El Camino College student Juan Hernandez, 21, at the #SurvivorsSpeak rally in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 26. Do not sell or share my personal information. On Sept. 24, authorities found his car about two miles from his job. She did the only things she could: She called the police and she started looking. Ethan Kedar Astaphan, 27, and Sonita Heng, 20, were both charged in the Sept. 22, 2020 death of 21-year-old El Camino College student Juan Carlos Hernndez, a news release by the District Attorney's office read. They brought the recording system to a computer forensics specialist in the Glendale Police Department. PARTLY CLOUDY AND MAINLY CLEAR SKIES THIS MORNING. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The car he was driving,a 2020 Honda Civic belonging to his mother, was found abandoned a couple of miles from his work two days later. Both were booked on suspicion of murder. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Concertgoer lets out a loud full body orgasm while L.A. Phil plays Tchaikovskys 5th, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, L.A. 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