Sheriff’s officials and family members of a 53-year-old wife and mother who was shot dead outside a home in Carson have announced that the reward for information leading to her killer has been increased from $10,000 to $35,000.
Tauvaaga “Judy’’ Lauvai, who was visiting from Arizona to celebrate Father’s Day with her family, was shot on a family member’s front porch just before 9 p.m. on June 16, when a light-colored, four-door sedan stopped in front of the home in the 22700 block of Island Avenue and someone inside the car opened fire.
Lauvai was shot in the chest and died at St. Francis Medical Center. Another family member’s leg was grazed by a bullet.
Lauvai worked at Arizona State University as an administrative assistant. The Carson High School graduate lived in the city for more than 50 years before moving out of state. She is survived by her husband of 28 years and four grown children.
Lauvai was one of two women shot within a five-hour period in Carson that evening.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors had approved a $10,000 reward. A second reward of $25,000 was later sponsored by the city of Carson and announced at the Aug 10 news conference at sheriff’s headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.
Anyone with more information about the shooting was urged to call sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza at (323) 890-5564.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or at lacrimestoppers.org.
