Public Safety
State offers $50,000 rewards in three Southern California cold cases
California has announced three $50,000 rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction in unsolved killings in San Diego, Santa Paula and South El Monte.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said Friday that the three Southern California rewards are part of a six-case, $300,000 statewide announcement. The state says the offers are intended to encourage people with information to contact local investigators after other leads have been exhausted.
San Diego: Darnell Smith, killed in Emerald Hills in 2008
Santa Paula: Eduardo Lira, killed in 2018
South El Monte: Estevan Mejia, killed in 2024
Reward: $50,000 per case for information leading to an arrest and conviction
How to share information
For the Darnell Smith case, the governor’s office directs tips to the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293; anonymous tips may also be submitted through San Diego County Crime Stoppers. Information about Eduardo Lira can be directed to Santa Paula Police Department Commander Eric Starna at 805-826-2227.
For Estevan Mejia’s case, the office directs tips to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Amber Montenegro at 323-890-5500. The state’s announcement describes the rewards as contingent on information that leads to both an arrest and conviction.
Official source: Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom — October 23, 2026 → · NBC 7 San Diego coverage →