Richard Wayne Traweek, 65

Oct. 26, 2009, 11:30 a.m.

Richard Traweek, a 65-year-old white man, was shot in the chest and killed Monday, Oct. 26, in the 11700 block of Goshen Avenue in Brentwood, authorities said.

Traweek was found fatally shot in the parking garage at his apartment complex, authorities said Tuesday, Nov. 3.

LAPD detectives were called to the building about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and found his body on the floor of the building's subterranean parking complex with at least one gunshot wound.

They described the case as a “whodunit” with no suspect or motive, according to sources familiar with the investigation but who asked not to be named, citing the ongoing investigation.

Traweek is a former Southern California real estate syndicator — someone who puts together real estate investment partnerships — who raised $120 million from investors in 38 transactions before his empire collapsed in the mid-1980s.

—Andrew Blankstein

Share a memory or thought about Richard Wayne Traweek

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.

Two reader comments

A whodunit is right. Although the LA Times reports on him being heavily involved in real estate back in the 80's that may not have anything to do with his murder. According to the Times, he was sued for fraud and had many legal judgments rendered against him. Other articles have stated that one of his main businesses was trying to convert apartments into condos. There were other articles which implied that Traweek liked to give political contributions to people who may vote on his desired apartment conversions. See the link for more details.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13663772

All of this background paints an intriguing picture of Richard Traweek.

But the real question is not what was he doing back in the 80's. But what was Richard Traweek doing now? What business was he in? Was it still real estate? Who knew that he lived on Goshen? Who would have access to the underground parking garage? Who would want him dead?

RIP.

— JB Feb. 19, 2010 at 7:57 a.m.