Governor Newsom announces $300,000 in rewards for unsolved murders in San Mateo, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ventura counties
What you need to know: Governor Newsom announces $300,000 in rewards are available for the unsolved murders of Michelle Matteucci in Daly City, Gurmej Atwal and Surinder Singh in Elk Grove, John Graves in Fresno, Darnell Smith in San Diego, Eduardo Lira in Santa Paula, and Estevan Mejia in South El Monte.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the availability of four $50,000 rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the murders of Michelle Matteucci in Daly City; Gurmej Atwal and Surinder Singh in Elk Grove; John Graves in Fresno; Darnell Smith in San Diego; Eduardo Lira in Santa Paula; and Estevan Mejia in South El Monte.
Every family deserves answers when a loved one is taken by violence. For the families of Michelle Matteucci, Gurmej Atwal, Surinder Singh, John Graves, Darnell Smith, Eduardo Lira, and Estevan Mejia, may they soon have the justice they deserve. If you know something about their cases, please reach out to local law enforcement.
Governor Gavin Newsom
Daly City, San Mateo County: Michelle Matteucci
In 1987, Michelle Matteucci, 13, was sexually assaulted, beaten, and fatally strangled while walking home from school near the 100 block of Morton Drive. Michelle was an eighth-grade student at Alta Loma Junior High School. If you have any information, contact the Daly City Police Department at 650-991-8119.
Elk Grove, Sacramento County: Gurmej Atwal and Surinder Singh
In 2011, 78-year-old Gurmej Atwal and 65-year-old Surinder Singh were fatally shot during their daily afternoon walk along East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Point Drive. According to police, a lifted truck pulled alongside the two men and the assailant or assailants fired multiple times. Mr. Atwal and Mr. Singh were well known within their community and place of worship. In 2016, a new park in Elk Grove was named after Mr. Atwal and Mr. Singh in their memory. If you have any information, contact Elk Grove Police Department at 916-627-3111.
Fresno, Fresno County: John Graves
In 2017, John Graves, 27, was fatally shot while stopped at a red light in his car around the intersection of Clinton Avenue and First Street. According to police, a car pulled alongside Mr. Graves’ car, and the assailant or assailants fired multiple times. Mr. Graves was the father of three children and worked in the family’s automotive upholstery business. The Central Valley Crime Stoppers has offered a $3,000 reward. If you have any information, contact Fresno Police Department Sergeant Leyva at 559-621-2440.
San Diego, San Diego County: Darnell Smith
In 2008, Darnell Smith, 20, was fatally shot in Emerald Hills. Mr. Smith and his cousins parked their car on Pyramid Street and walked toward his aunt’s house when the assailant exited a black SUV and fired multiple shots at Mr. Smith, killing him. Mr. Smith was a student at Mesa College and worked for Cox Cable. The San Diego Crime Stoppers has offered a $1,000 reward. Cox Communications also offered a $2,500 reward. If you have any information, contact the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293. Anonymous tips can be submitted to San Diego County CrimeStoppers at www.sdcrimestoppers.org.
Santa Paula, Ventura County: Eduardo Lira
In 2018, Eduardo Lira, 20, was fatally shot. Mr. Lira and a companion were walking near High and Sycamore Streets. The armed assailant or assailants approached and opened fire, striking and killing Mr. Lira and injuring his companion. If you have any information, contact Santa Paula Police Department Commander Eric Starna at 805-826-2227.
South El Monte, Los Angeles County: Estevan Mejia
In 2024, 34-year-old Estevan Mejia was fatally shot in the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. According to the Sheriff, Mr. Mejia was last seen in his car driving. After tips from the public, his car was recovered the next day in a dried riverbed approximately three miles from the location where Mr. Mejia was found. The car had a flat tire and was stripped of its radio and other valuables. Mr. Mejia was a nurse working for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. If you have any information, contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Amber Montenegro at 323-890-5500.
Governor’s rewards for unsolved cases
Under California law, law enforcement agencies may ask the Governor to issue rewards in specified unsolved cases where they have exhausted all investigative leads, to encourage individuals with information about the crimes to come forward. Public assistance is vital to law enforcement, and rewards may encourage the public cooperation needed to apprehend those who have committed serious offenses.
More information on the Governor’s Reward Program can be found here.