Zenaida Quiazonagustin was 70 years old when she died on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, in Long Beach. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, she died after sustaining blunt force trauma at 2614 North La Vere Drive. Her death was ruled a homicide, and it is listed as a Long Beach Police Department case.
The Los Angeles Times Homicide Report said she "was severely beaten at her home in the 2600 block of La Vere Drive in Long Beach about 10:40 a.m." that Wednesday. Long Beach police officers responded to a report of an assault victim. Quiazonagustin "was being taken to a nearby hospital at the same time that officers arrived at her home," authorities said.
Officers found her 66-year-old husband in the back of the house. He had suffered a cut to his head, was taken to a hospital, and was released after he was treated. Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said detectives were not releasing further details. She said the investigation was still ongoing, "and there was no motive for the attack."
The Press-Telegram reported that police discovered the woman "suffering from injuries to her upper body," and that she died a short time later at a hospital, according to Coroner's Lt. Joe Bale. The paper said officers found another victim near the rear of the residence "who had suffered a large laceration to his head." Three days after the attack, the paper reported, authorities were still "searching Saturday for a suspect," which indicates that police believed someone other than the two victims was responsible.
Little else about Zenaida Quiazonagustin has been made public. No obituary, memorial page or family fundraiser could be found for this story. Her recorded name appears to join two family names, Quiazon and Agustin, and she may have been known to friends and neighbors by only one of them, which could explain why so little turns up under the full name. Her family and neighbors surely remember her.
Long Beach is the second-largest city in Los Angeles County, a port city with its own police department, and much of it is made up of quiet residential neighborhoods of single-family homes. A violent attack on two older people inside their home in daylight is rare in neighborhoods like these, and it may have drawn attention from neighbors who saw a stranger or a vehicle that morning.
Hundreds of people are killed in Los Angeles County every year, and a large share of those killings end without an arrest.
No arrest, criminal charge or court case connected to the death of Zenaida Quiazonagustin could be found in news archives or public records. More than 17 years later, there is no public sign that anyone has been held responsible. Anyone who was on or near La Vere Drive on the morning of September 3, 2008, who saw someone arrive at or leave the house, or who knew the couple and heard of any trouble, may hold information that matters. Police said that anyone who may have been in the area, even if the caller feels the information is insignificant, could call homicide Dets. Dennis Robbins or Daniel Mendoza at 570-7244, and that callers can remain anonymous. Even a small detail, such as a name overheard, a vehicle seen nearby or a conversation remembered, can help detectives move a case forward. Anyone with information can contact the Long Beach Police Department's Homicide Detail at 562-570-7244, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
