Maria Elena Rivas-Lomeli

Maria Elena Rivas-Lomeli, a 62-year-old Latina, was fatally stabbed Monday, Dec. 22, in the 1400 block of West Adams Boulevard in Adams-Normandie, according to police and Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Rivas-Lomeli had just purchased groceries from a nearby Ralphs supermarket and was walking home about 6:30 p.m. when a person attacked her from behind and stabbed her, police said.

LAPD detectives said the supermarket’s security camera video shows that Rivas paid for her groceries with a large wallet. The purse and the wallet were missing after the attack, police said.

Rivas-Lomeli was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 7:29 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Though the attack happened at rush hour, no witnesses have come forward, police said.

“There was absolutely no reason why such an innocent lady walking home to her family should be killed in the street,” LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham told KABC-TV.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-7341. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Joseph Serna