California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles. Newsom reissued $50,000 rewards for information in more than two dozen cold cases.
Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press
Urging tipsters to come forward, Gov. Gavin Newsom renewed $50,000 rewards for information in more than two dozen cold cases across California, including six in the Bay Area.
The cases included the death of a 12-year-old girl who disappeared in Sonoma County in 1997 and the ambush of a Hillsborough police officer in San Mateo County last year.
“Every family deserves answers and justice,” 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.”
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Among the Bay Area cases was the killing of Georgia Moses, 12, who was found dead on Aug. 22, 1997, next to south Highway 101’s on-ramp to Petaluma Boulevard South after she disappeared from her home in Petaluma. An autopsy later determined she was smothered or strangled.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information to call the agency at 707-565-2727.
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On Jan. 25, 2007, three assailants attacked Emerson Zuniga, 20, as he walked down a Fremont street. The Fremont resident was hit in the head with a metal object and died at a hospital a month later, the Chronicle reported at the time.
The Fremont Police Department requested that anyone with information to contact Detective Jacob Blass at jblass@fremont.gov or 510-790-6900.
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On Dec. 4, 2008, Antonio Nunez, 16, was fatally shot outside his Oakland home. The teen was talking to an uncle and a 15-year-old relative when two gunmen approached the Sunnyside Street home and shot all three victims, the Chronicle reported at the time. Antonio died at the scene. His family members were taken to a hospital in stable condition.
The Oakland Police Department asked anyone with information to call Sgt. Yun Zhou at 510-238-3821.
On Jan. 24, 2017, Lamar Murphy, 16, was fatally shot as he rode his bicycle in Hayward. He was near his home when a shooter in a passing car fired several rounds, killing Lamar near Princeton Street and Smalley Avenue, the Chronicle reported at the time. It was unclear if the shooter got out of the car or stayed inside.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office requested that anyone with information to call the agency at 510-667-3636.
On June 12, 2020, Shawn Tillis, 27, was fatally shot in his car in front of an apartment complex in San Pablo. Surveillance video showed two shooters walk up to Tillis’ car in the parking lot of the Rumrill Boulevard apartments and fire over 30 rounds from an assault rifle and a handgun, according to the Richmond Standard.
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The San Pablo Police Department asked anyone with information to call Sgt. Robert Brady at 510-215-3295 or Lt. Bradley Lindblom at 510-215-3261.
On Feb. 22, 2025, a Hillsborough police officer was shot and injured in the rear parking lot of the Floribunda Avenue police station after the shooter gained access to a restricted area. The shooter fired when the officer approached, then took off. Police previously released a sketch of a man they described as a “person of interest.”
The Hillsborough Police Department requested that anyone with information call Sgt. Josh Wang at 650-375-7470.
Newsom also reissued $50,000 rewards in 21 other cases elsewhere in California. State law allows police agencies to request rewards from the governor for information leading to arrests and convictions when they have exhausted all investigative leads.
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His office noted that in December, Newsom announced a $50,000 reward payment to three tipsters whose information led to the arrest and murder conviction of Marvin Markle in the death of De Anna Lynn Johnson, 14, who was found dead near her home in Vacaville in 1982.