Sandra Cossid Lertzman, aged 60, tragically lost her life on September 11, 2019, in a harrowing incident that unfolded in her Northridge home in Los Angeles, California. The events of that day were marked by a devastating act of violence perpetrated by her husband, Eric Lertzman, who was also 60 years old. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Eric Lertzman shot Sandra in their master bedroom before proceeding to shoot their 19-year-old son, Michael Lertzman.
The incident did not end there; Eric attempted to shoot another woman, believed to be his daughter, who managed to escape by locking herself in a bathroom and then fleeing through a window to seek help from a neighbor. Eric Lertzman subsequently returned to the master bedroom and took his own life.
The motive behind this tragic murder-suicide remains under investigation, but authorities have suggested that the recent loss of a loved one and ongoing health issues may have played significant roles. Eric Lertzman had been a Deputy City Attorney with the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office since 2005. The office released a statement expressing profound sadness and shock over the incident, emphasizing the need for counseling and support for those affected by this unimaginable loss.
The investigation into the incident revealed that two firearms were recovered at the scene. Neighbors and friends of the family expressed their disbelief and sorrow, describing Michael Lertzman as a kind and joyful young man who was well-loved in the community. He was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity at California State University Northridge, and his fraternity brothers held a candlelight vigil in his memory.
No arrests were made in connection with the incident, as the primary suspect, Eric Lertzman, died by suicide. The case has been classified as a murder-suicide, and there are no ongoing litigations or law cases directly related to the deaths of Sandra and Michael Lertzman. The community continues to mourn the loss of Sandra and Michael, while also grappling with the shock and grief brought about by the actions of Eric Lertzman.
