A story for every victim

Donie Vanitzian, 67

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.

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