David Cota, 23

June 28, 2010, 9:52 a.m.

David Cota, a 23-year-old Latino, was found stabbed to death Saturday, June 26, near 5th Street and Harding Street in Montebello, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

A woman called 911 about 12:55 p.m. and said there was a body in a medical building parking lot, said Montebello Police Lieutenant Brad Keller.

Cota, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had been stabbed in the chest, according to coroner's records.

Montebello Police Lt. Brad Keller said it was unclear whether Cota was stabbed in the parking lot or had been dumped there after being attacked. Witnesses heard an altercation the night before about 11:30 p.m. near where Cota's body was found, Keller said; however no one saw Cota getting assaulted.

Keller described Cota as a gang member and said investigators are looking into whether his death was connected to gang activity.

Anyone with information about the death of David Cota is asked to contact the Montebello Police at (323) 887-1212.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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89 reader comments

-Ballistic
“My hope is that his family and friends learn from his death and not enable others around them to make the same bad choices.”

You are assuming his family and friends were enabling his behavior. Have you missed the fact that David was already an adult at the time of his demise and had been for about five years? I understand and assume, by reading the many comments on this HR, that David was a law abiding citizen and had no ties to gangs when younger. That could have changed at the time he became a legal adult and left his parents home. If that was the case, family and friends could have done very little to nothing to help him get back on the right path and he didn’t need enablers to do so. Consider that scenario for a second.

In the end assumptions, yours or mine, are just assumptions. The difference is that I like to give the benefit of the doubt to people in general, in this case, to David’s family. It has been my personal experience that although is true that family involvement and even friendships does influence greatly on who we may become, it does not guarantee we may always walk on the right path.

— Souleil May 11, 2012 at 10:21 a.m.

I never lost a loved one before. I did know David for a while as kids I knew his family but this was more than 10 years ago . I don't know if David was just at the wrong place at the wrong time or if he really did join a gang. Listen if he did then he knew what he was getting himself into. It hurts me to know he's gone . But at the same time I know were some people are coming from , no one should have to be afraid to walk alone at night because some kid that made the wrong choice might shot them. It happens all the time . What is sad is that he was very young and I feel bad for his parents. I don't think that gangs will ever go away and people will always be pissed off at them. But don't forget David was a human being and he has people who will always love him please think of his family and read about the good things about David before you say something that might upset his family and friends.

— An old friend March 13, 2011 at 3:39 p.m.

wow some of you people on here really have no lives... let the ones who knew and loved him say what they have to say and move on... it's not easy losing a loved one and you guys are coming off pretty rude and pathetic talking about someone you didn't know... the cop said he looked gang realated, doesnt mean he was... if he was its not even your place to come and jump on every person speaking well of the deceased... time to grow up please or just quit coming to the site like a kid starting up with everyone...none of us our perfect but i'm sure we can have respect..
David you will most definately be missed buddy.. memories are all i have now and i will forever be thankful for the friendship :) ... you were a great person and i know you are definately in a better place.. sleep with the angels and watch over us all.. God bless his family and everyone who cared for him.. r.i.p. Cota, my dear friend..

— his friend.. Feb. 23, 2011 at 5:06 p.m.

I personally did not know David but I went to school with his sister Karen. Karen is an amazing person with a big heart and I know that David was too. The Cota family till this day is still hurting because of their loss.

Now for all of those who are criticizing David you should be ashamed of yourself and I hope that when you pass you dont have inconsiderate people talking bad about you and or your mistakes. FYI just because a police officer stated he was a gang member who's to say hes correct??? How many cops have you came accross that have said you broke the law or gave you a ticket when you actually didnt do anything wrong??? If you didnt personally know David or have proof that he was a gang member or a bad person you just need to shut your trap. If you have nothing nice to say dont say it at all. BY THE WAY Montebello cops are a**holes... read up on your news theres 3 montebello cops issued a claim against the montebello police station due to the fact that they got disciplined because they didnt meet their quota of unlawful arrest and tickets!!! SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!http://www.topix.com/forum/city/whittier-ca/T5H02UROHT1PCJSNN

The Cota family still grieving for their tremendous loss and if any of you have a heart or had a loss then you know what the Cota family is going through so just show some RESPECT you are no one to judge and like I said when you end up passing I hope no one will judge you or bad mouth you...

— Maribel Jauregui Jan. 14, 2011 at 2:17 a.m.

DaViD, i MiSS U Sooo MuCH BaBY BoY! WeN We MeT BaK iN THe DaYS WeN u WeRe JuS "COTA" i NeVa iMaGiNeD DaT YRS LaTeR WeN u WeRe KNoWN aS "MR. ReaDY" We'D Be MoRe THaN FRieNDS...i KNoW u WeRe a LaDieS MaN N i aM GLaD u GaVe Me DaT MuCH ReSPeCT 2 LeT Me KNoW...No MaTTeR WaT u aLWaYS GaVE Me MY ReSPeCTS N MaDe iT aLL BouT uS WeN We SPeNT TiMe 2GeTHeR...iTS SaD 2 SaY BuT oF aLL Da MeMoRieS i HoLD oN 2 oF uS i STiLL ReMeMBeR HoW We eNDeD uP RuNNiNG iNTo eaCHoTHeR oN DaT CouNTY BuS N u aSKeD Me 2 SiNG Da LYRiCS 2 ouR SoNG BY LiL WaYNe...WHaT He DoeS..."I KNOW WAT HE DOES (I KNOW WAT HE DOES) SO IN LUV (SO IN LUV) WITH MY BABY, THATS MY BABY, HAVE HIS BABY SOMEDAY...N YES ITS HARD (SO HARD) OOOH,BUT THATS MY BABY N I LUV HIM I LUV HIM YALL"....iLL NeVa 4GeT HoW u'D SaY "WaTS uP MY GiRL" oR WeN u'D SaY 2 oTHeRS "CuM oN MY BoY"...I KNoW I HaD 2 SHaRe u WiT QuiTe a FeW BuT uR aLWaYS GuNNa HaVe a SPeCiaL PLaCe iN MY HeaRT N No MaTTeR WaT iLL aLWaYS LuK BaK N SMiLe aS i DRiFT oN Da MeMoRieS....

— Ev!L$id3 Fr3@k Oct. 27, 2010 at 2:03 a.m.