Kassandra Lizette Ochoa, 21

Nov. 23, 2015

Kassandra Ochoa, a 21-year-old Latina, died Saturday, Nov. 21, after she was struck in the head in the 470 block of South Sydney Drive in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ochoa was seen arguing with her boyfriend, Antonio Medina, about 1 a.m. as they walked into a vacant apartment, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Victor Lewandowski.

Neighbors contacted the owner of the apartment building, who lived nearby. When the apartment owner walked in, she saw Ochoa lying on the floor bleeding from the head and Medina standing nearby, Lewandowski said.

The landlord called 911; Medina allegedly fled.

Ochoa had blunt force trauma to the back of her head, Lewandowski said. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:08 a.m., according to coroner's records. The autopsy is pending.

Family members have started a fundraising account to help pay for Ochoa's funeral.

Medina and Ochoa had been dating and living together for a couple of years, Lewandowski said, living in different locations around Los Angeles. They did not have a permanent address but apparently were staying with family and friends for short periods of time, he said.

Antonio Medina

Investigators believe Medina is hiding in the East Los Angeles area. They began distributing wanted posters with his photograph Monday. When last seen, Medina was wearing what appeared to be a grey thermal shirt and dark pants.

The Times reported that Medina allegedly used a hammer in the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

Photo: Images of Antonio Medina from an L.A. County Sheriff's Department wanted poster. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

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Six reader comments

I remember the last time i spent with kassandra was when i was around 16 years old when my mom was driving and kassandra's mom sat in the passenger seat while me, kassandra, and cynthia sat in the back while our mother's were whistling out the the car window at cute guys walking by embarressing the 3 of us as we tried to hide our heads by ducking our heads and try not to be seen. I also remember when i was 9 me and my mom werre on our way home from the market when we stopped by kassandra's mom's house to say hi when we got there kassandra came out along with her little sister cynthia asking me can we ride your scooter and i let them while having fun and begging a freindship since we were seperated from each other for a long time. it was hard for me to understand that she is gone and knowing that she is watching my every move i do or go.

— mykala perez Jan. 5, 2016 at 9:22 p.m.

My beautiful kassie! Why did u have to go so soon? You had the power to do anything your heart desired. Nobody is perfect. Everything I ever told you, was for your own good. You knew how much I cared for u. And all the ways I tried helping you always came from the bottom of my heart. Being your friend was bittersweet. I just let you be, but I cannot deny, you always made me laugh. And , not at you! My heart beats slow when I think about you being gone. I hope you're in heaven mama. I will miss you. If you thought nobody loved and cared for you, you can see us all from wherever you are, crying and mourning you. I love you doll. I'll see you at the crossroads. Eternally yours, JessicaMichelle. Xo 💔💋💜🌹🌷🌼🌸🌻🌺🍀🌈

— Jessica Michelle Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:35 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Kassandra Lizette Ochoa, 21

Share a memory or thought about Kassandra Lizette Ochoa

Six reader comments