Emilio M. "Milo" Gomez, a 67-year-old resident of La Habra, California, was tragically killed on August 8, 1999. Gomez, a plasterer by trade, was known for his love of boxing and had won the Golden Gloves Award at the age of 17. On the day of his death, he left his home to run an errand at a Kmart in the City of Industry but never returned. His wife reported him missing the following day.
Five days later, his body was discovered in his 1996 Nissan King Cab pickup truck, parked near a movie theater at La Habra Marketplace. He had been shot and killed.
The investigation into Gomez's murder has been ongoing for years. Initially, the case went cold after all leads were exhausted and physical evidence was thoroughly examined. However, in 2008, the La Habra Police Department reopened the case, hoping that advancements in technology could provide new insights. Despite re-evaluating evidence and re-interviewing witnesses, the case remained unsolved. In 2015, the police once again appealed to the public for help, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Throughout the investigation, detectives have struggled to find a motive for the murder. Gomez was not involved in any illegal activities, had no known enemies, and was described as a family man who spent most weekends at home. His activities after leaving home on the day of his death have never been fully verified. The lack of clear motive and suspects has made solving the case particularly challenging.
The La Habra Police Department continues to seek new leads and reprocess evidence in hopes of finding Gomez's killer. The case remains open, and detectives are determined to bring justice to his family. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the La Habra Police Department.
