Francisco Rivera was 49 years old when he died in South Gate, in southeast Los Angeles County, on the night of Friday, July 29, 2011. His body was found early the next morning, Saturday, July 30. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, he died of stab wounds near Burtis Street and Southern Avenue. His death was ruled a homicide, and it is listed as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau case.
The Los Angeles Times Homicide Report described him as "a 49-year-old Latino" and a resident of South Gate. CBS Los Angeles, citing a sheriff's news release, gave his age as 50. According to the Times, he "was killed between 9:39 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on July 29 on a popular bike trail." CBS reported that the trail was the bike path along the Los Angeles River. His body was discovered at 1:30 a.m. on July 30.
The Times recorded two small details about his life.
He "was celebrating that evening after obtaining his driver's license," and he "immigrated from El Salvador a number of years ago." The detail about the license suggests that his last day began as a good one.
Investigators released more about a possible suspect than in many cases. According to the Times, "A man was seen leaving the area where Rivera's body was found in a light metallic-colored 1999 or newer Chevy Blazer or GMC Yukon." The man "is believed to be Latino, in his early 30s to early 40s with a stocky build. He had short black hair and a mustache and beard growth at the time of the killing." A month later, CBS Los Angeles reported that authorities were still "asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect." No name was ever released.
The reports do not say whether he knew the man who was seen leaving, why he was on the trail that night, whether he was alone, or what led to the attack. The exact starting time of 9:39 p.m. suggests that detectives may have known when he was last seen or heard from.
No obituary or family fundraiser for him could be found. Francisco Rivera is a very common name, and searches turned up many other men who share it, including a South Gate man who died years later, none of whom can be connected to this death.
South Gate is a working-class city of about 90,000 people in southeast Los Angeles County made up largely of small single-family homes. The Los Angeles River passes through the city in a concrete channel, and the bike path on its bank draws cyclists, walkers and joggers, though stretches of it can be dark and isolated at night.
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 Francisco Rivera could be found in news archives or public records. More than 14 years later, there is no public sign that anyone has been held responsible. Anyone who was on or near the river bike path around Burtis Street and Southern Avenue on the night of July 29, 2011, or who knows a man matching the description who drove a light metallic Chevy Blazer or GMC Yukon at the time, may hold information that could help. 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
