Saray Rivas, L.A. Homicide No. 43: Teen Girl Found Dead 12 Hours After Shooting; Residents Were Afraid to Talk

Los Angeles Times

Puddle of blood remained days after Saray Rivas' murder

No one at the apartment complex in the 1300 block of 3rd Avenue called the cops after they heard gunshots. Saray Rivas, a 15-year-old Latina girl, lay in a puddle of blood for 12 hours until the renter of the apartment, Maria Elena, returned home on February 21. Upon discovering the body, Elena walked to a local police station and informed the authorities.

Rivas was shot in the left eye, according to coroner's records.

A Los Angeles Times article said that LAPD arrested a 17-year-old girl that "basically confessed" to the crime. Her name is being withheld because she is a juvenile.

Residents of the apartment complex that spoke to the Times requested they remain anonymous, to avoid possible retribution. This fear could have been the reason why no one in the complex called the LAPD. When authorities did question tenants, all witnessed said that nobody knew anything about the victim.

The Times reported one man knew that people were keeping quiet:

"You can hear everything in this building," he said. "So, of course people heard it. It's just that no one wants to talk. No one wants to be targeted."

Note: Due to technical difficulties, the LA Weekly's archive of all homicides within Los Angeles city limits was discontinued near the end of last year. We will be rolling out the 2011 homicides, one by one, until our "Murder was the Case" archive is up to date. Thanks for your patience.