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.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Woman Charged With Murder In Brutal Nightclub Beating
A woman has been charged in the fatal beating of a woman outside a Santa Ana nightclub last weekend.
Vanessa Tapia Zavala, 25, was arrested on Monday, and today she was charged with murder in the death of 23-year-old Annie Hung "Kim" Pham, according to City News Service. Zavala is expected to be arraigned in Santa Ana this afternoon, and she could face 15 years to life in prison if she's convicted. Four other suspects—two women and two men—are still at large in Pham's death, police say.
Pham was beaten outside the Crosby Bar and Nightclub in Santa Ana early on Saturday morning. A fight broke out while Pham was waiting to get into the club with some friends, and video captured part of the fight. A bouncer was unable to break up the fight, and by the time authorities arrived, Pham was unconscious.
Though she was declared brain dead on Sunday, she was kept on life support while her organs were harvested. She was taken off life support Tuesday.
Support for LAist comes from
Anyone with information about the brawl was asked to call Santa Ana police at (714) 245-8390.
UPDATE 3:22 P.M.: Zavala has pleaded not guilty in Pham's death, City News Service reports. She will be due back in court on Jan. 30.
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.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.
Best of LAist