West Hills Murder/Suicide Involved Elderly Couple
Sadly, this case appears to be very similar to the deaths of Donna and Craig Edwards back in November 2009.
An elderly couple was found dead in their West Hills home Thursday in an apparent murder-suicide case, police said.
Police discovered the bodies around 9 a.m. after responding to a 911 call from the residence in the 7200 block of Cirrus Way, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The victims had single gunshot wounds to their heads.
The husband and wife, both 77, were found inside after an officer entered the home through an open rear door. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene by Fire Department paramedics, the LAPD said.
Officials believe an elderly couple found dead in their West Hills homes Thursday were the victims of a murder-suicide.
The couple, a man and a woman, were both 77-years-old.
The bodies were discovered about 9 a.m. at a home in the 7200 block of Cirrus Way, said Officer Karen Rayner of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“A 911 call had been generated from a residence there, but the 911 operator was unable to determine the exact nature of the emergency,” Rayner said.
Officers entered the home through the back door. They found the couple each suffering from gunshot wounds to the head, Rayner said.
The victims, whose names were withheld until next of kin could be notified, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police asked anyone with information regarding the deaths to contact Topanga Area Detective Brian Pogue at (818) 756-3362.
Update: Names released on May 25, 2010.
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Teen Killed In Porter Ranch “Head Out The Window” Accident Was Woodland Hills Resident
I remember hearing about this a few weeks back, but didn’t know the kid lived in Woodland Hills. It happened on Friday, February 12, 2010. There is a Facebook memorial page for Adir Vered with almost 3,000 members.
PORTER RANCH — A 17-year-old boy who had his head sticking out of a car window died when the 16-year-old driver crashed into a parked vehicle in Porter Ranch.
The crash happened around 9:25 p.m. Friday in the 10400 block of Wystone Avenue, according to Sgt. Charles Swanson of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division.
The 17-year-old was apparently not wearing a seat belt, and was ejected from the car when his head struck the parked car.
The deceased teen was identified as Adir Vered, an honor student.
The 16-year-old driver and another passenger, also 16, were not injured, Swanson said.
After an investigation, police officials said they had no reason to believe the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
The driver, whose name was also unavailable, was questioned and then released.
Porter Ranch – A teenager who stuck his head out of a car window died when the teen driver crashed into a parked vehicle in Porter Ranch, a Los Angeles police sergeant said today.
Adir Vered, 17, of Woodland Hills, was killed about 9:25 p.m. Friday in the 10400 block of Wystone Avenue, according to the coroner and Sgt. Charles Swanson of the Valley Traffic Division.
A 16-year-old was driving the car when it hit a parked car, Swanson said.
Vered, who was not wearing a seat belt and had stuck his head out the window, was killed when his head hit the parked car and he was ejected, Swanson said.
The 16-year-old driver and another passenger, also 16, were not injured, Swanson said. The driver was questioned and released, Swanson said.
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Woodland Hills Dentist Payman Engheta Dies In Sunday Car Accident
Dr. Payman Engheta, a general dentist with offices in Woodland Hills inside the building behind Roy’s and Fleming’s, died in a single car accident in his Lamborghini on Sunday February 14th. My good friend Megan, who was one of his patients, says he was an excellent dentist and that she “loved that guy.” She is very saddened by this death. She adds, “he was a great dentist – friendly, compassionate – also cool as he loved Black Sabbath. I referred him to all my coworkers – he would help people that couldn’t afford dental work. Just a genuine good-hearted man.”
Melissa Gasca of The Signal writes:
A close friend of Payman Engheta said Monday that the deceased Stevenson Ranch husband and father touched many hearts.
Engheta, 47, died Sunday after he lost control of his Lamborghini convertible on Bouquet Canyon Road near Cavi at the Big Oaks Lodge, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
“We lost a beloved angel and dedicated father of two sons, a loving husband, a compassionate and devoted doctor,” said friend Nader Javadi as he read from a letter prepared by Engheta’s immediate family.
The CHP report said Engheta was driving at about 40 miles per hour on northbound Bouquet Canyon Road when he lost control of his vehicle on a right curve. The Lamborghini slid and rotated until its left side collided with a tree near Cavi at the Big Oaks, a restaurant almost four miles north of Lombardi Ranch.
CHP acting Sgt. Tony Getzelman said the measure of Engheta’s speed was based on preliminary investigation including witness reports of people at the restaurant. However, the collision is still under investigation, he said.
The speed limit in the area is 55 miles per hour, Getzelman said.
Los Angeles County Fire Department units responded to the collision, which occurred about noon on Sunday. Engheta was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he endured eight hours in the operating room, Javadi said.
The local man suffered traumatic injuries to the head and a rib fracture, said Javadi, who is also a doctor and has known Engheta since middle school.
Engheta had a dentistry practice in Topanga, but his family has lived in Stevenson Ranch for seven or eight years, Javadi said.
Javadi also said that wife Homa Engheta was too distraught to speak and sons Babak and Behman – 6 and 10 years old – had not been told about their father’s death yet.
Engheta had just gone out for a ride Sunday morning and was supposed to return home for lunch with his family, Javadi said.
“We miss him so much,” Javadi read from the prepared letter. “His body is not with us anymore, but his loving memory will live in our heart forever.”
The CHP does not suspect alcohol or drugs were a factor, the report said.
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Honorary Woodland Hills Mayor Michael Miller Passes Away
Michael Miller, Rest In Peace
I don’t believe I ever met Michael, but by all accounts he was a valuable member of our community and will surely be missed.
The San Fernando Valley Business Journal writes:
Insurance agent and honorary mayor of Woodland Hills Michael Miller died after suffering a heart attack. He was 62.Miller was a familiar face in the west San Fernando Valley from his involvement in not for profit and charitable groups.
Miller opened his State Farm insurance agency in 1981. He served as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, the vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council in addition to his seven terms as the honorary mayor of Woodland Hills.
Miller was named a “Small Businessperson of the Year” by the California Assembly in 2002 and honored by State Farm that same year with the “Circle of Excellence” Award. He was also one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”
Miller is survived by his wife Jennifer; daughter Montana; and son Chandler.
Services take place Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernardine’s Church, 24410 Calvert St. A reception follows at the Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills.
The Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce writes on their Facebook page:
Michael Miller’s Biography and Background
With over three decades of service in high-profile leadership roles in his community and his industry, Michael Miller is renowned for his strength of character, integrity and for his commanding presence. Standing tall in both stature and in the classic values of goodwill and service to others, Michael’s ceaseless energy and efforts to improve those organizations in which he serves continues to set new heights of achievement for what one can achieve with a positive attitude and lots of hard work.
As the Honorary Mayor of Woodland Hills and owner of a State Farm Insurance Agency, Michael has received numerous accolades from both his industry and the community. In 2002 he received the Joseph Staller Memorial Award for outstanding excellence in the community of Woodland Hills. Michael was also honored in 2002 with the “Small Business Person of the Year” award in the California State Assembly-sponsored event with the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley acknowledging the area’s top leadership. Professionally, State Farm Insurance Companies honored Michael for the “Circle of Excellence” Award in 2002 in addition to being one of State Farm’s Select Agents with the “Legion of Honor.”
Besides serving in his seventh term as Woodland Hills’s Honorary Mayor, Michael serves as president of the Fernando Award Foundation, as vice president of the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council, as a community advisory board member for the Encino-Tarzana Hospital, and mentors at Pacific Lodge Boys Home. His other credits include chairing the Woodland Hills Family Festival, acting as chairman of the 4th of July Celebration at Pierce College, and he is a past president of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce. After over 20 years of ongoing work to improve his community, this Vietnam War veteran has finally made his mark overcoming numerous challenges in life through his grace of character and perseverance to overcome obstacles.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Michael served in the Vietnam War where he emerged with both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for acts of courage. Michael earned the Bronze Star when, after his weapon jammed, he engaged with the enemy in hand to hand combat, helping to save his company. Three months later while “walking point” ahead of his company, he was shot during a sudden ambush. Although his leg was shattered, he returned to the States making full recovery despite doctor’s predictions that he would never walk again. Through seven operations and a year spent in a V.A. Hospital, Michael learned how to face and overcome all odds through a positive “can do” attitude, an iron will to survive, and an unyielding gratitude for life.
Following his recovery, Michael earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico, then an MBA in accounting from Arizona State University. In addition to completing the curriculum, Michael began his career in community service by getting involved with the Red Cross, the United Way, the Young Republicans Club, and Big Brothers of America who named him “Outstanding Big Brother of the Year.” A few years later, while serving as controller for State Farm Insurance’s Westlake Village office in California, Michael was again acknowledged when he was elected to the prestigious group, “Outstanding Young Men of America.”
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