Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LAPD seeks public’s help in 2006 unsolved murder of Emmery Muñoz
The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for assistance from the public as it seeks to solve the nearly two-decade-old murder of 14-year-old Emmery Muñoz.
Emmery was found dead on Jan. 25, 2006, in the loading dock area of a business at the 1500 block of Mirasol Street in Boyle Heights, police said in a news release on Wednesday.
She was last seen alive on Jan. 20 of that year in City Terrace, police said.
“The investigation has spanned over nineteen years, and detectives have been unable to obtain any substantial leads in this cold case homicide,” police said.
The motive is unclear, and no suspect has been identified.
The news comes as the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of reinstating a $50,000 reward offered for information related to the case. A reward was first offered in 2006, with several extensions through the years.
Emmery, who was a student at Bravo Medical Magnet High School, was the subject of a 2023 LAist Studios and VICE podcast that explores the party crew scene in the 2000s and whether there was a possible connection with her death. Emmery was a member of the Vicious Ladies party crew, according to LAist.
“The pain is the same as just like it happened yesterday,” Emmery’s mother, Maria Mejia, said in a 2023 LAist news story. “I am hoping that somebody will come through now, that somebody comes forward. Maybe they were afraid to speak at the time. But any little thing can help the police now.”
Anyone with information is urged to call (213) 486-8700 or (877) 527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on March 6, 2025.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.