Donie Vanitzian, 67

Jan. 6, 2018

Donie Vanitzian, a 67-year-old white woman, was found dead Thursday, Dec. 28, in the 4200 block of Corinth Avenue in Del Rey, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 5:38 p.m., police responded to a home on a welfare check and found Vanitzian on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head, LAPD Lt. John Radtke said.

A man on the ground next to Vanitzian was partially conscious, and detectives think he may have ingested pills, Radtke said. The man left a suicide note, police said, and investigators found a revolver on the ground under him.

Thomas Foster, a 75-year-old white man, was charged Wednesday with one count of murder with a handgun allegation, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Foster was married to Vanitzian for 35 years. Vanitzian was a longtime Los Angeles Times contributor who wrote a weekly column on homeowners associations for the Sunday Business section.

Foster pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $3 million. He is due back in court Jan. 18, prosecutors said.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Bureau detectives at (213) 382-9470. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

Share a memory or thought about Donie Vanitzian

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

Three reader comments

So saddened to hear about my counsin Donna's passing. I remember her when I was much younger. My first cousin. She was nice to me and would cook food, and we would talk for hours on end. She helped type-up my first resume' and would invite me over to stay at her place near the beach. I have such fond memories growing up together along with our siblings and cousins, Donna being the eldest of all the first cousins and I the youngest. Her husband Tom was a very very nice man to me the years that I knew him. My mother introduced them to each other while in England. I have not seen her for a few decades, nor been in touch with her since. I pray for the Vaniztian family for their loss during a very unfortunate, tragic, and difficult time. I will always and only remember when growing up and the happy times we all shared together with our tight-nit families.

— Richard Kavonian, Jr. Jan. 9, 2018 at 11:02 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Donie Vanitzian, 67

Share a memory or thought about Donie Vanitzian

Three reader comments