Update on Woman’s Murder in Downtown NR10006pv

January 6, 2010

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police detectives released the name, Hideko Oyama, 74, as the manager of the Chetwood Hotel who was murdered yesterday in her office in the Toy District of downtown Los Angeles.

"The detectives have made tremendous progress in the last 24 hours," said Lt. Paul Vernon, the commanding officer of the Central Detective Division.  "The most important thing for the community to know at this point is we believe the murder was an isolated incident to the hotel."

Detectives still have no motive for the woman’s murder, but they have developed other leads to focus the case. "As we firm up more specific information we will release it," Vernon added.  "But in the mean time we cannot say any more."

A hotel patron discovered the hotel manager bleeding in the 2nd-floor office of the hotel yesterday, January 5, 2010.  She died at a local hospital a short time later.  Police confirmed no gun was involved, but would not provide any further information on the nature of her injuries.

Ms. Oyama lived at the hotel for the last four years.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central homicide detectives Thayer Lake or John Thacker at 213-972-1254.   Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Tipsters may text "crimes" with a cell phone.  All messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.