The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is considering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Tioni Theus’s death after she was found dead in an embankment on the side 110 Freeway last month, according to officials with LA Sheriff’s Department.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (CBSLA) – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will discuss a $10,000 prize for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or persons responsible for the shooting murder of 16-year-old Tioni Theus, whose corpse was discovered beside the 110 Freeway.
The move comes only days after a group of community activists convened to press political leaders to give a reward for information leading to her death.
Martine Collette, the founder of the Wildlife Waystation, died at the age of 79.
The organization will host a press conference at 5 p.m. on Monday to announce the award.
Tioni Jackson paid a visit to her father Darien Jackson, who was despondent and upset, at his Inglewood employment on January 7. She was discovered dead less than 24 hours later, twice shot in the neck.
Jackson described the circumstances of the day leading up to the discovery of his daughter’s death on the northbound 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles, telling CBS reporters that his daughter had been living with him since her mother was seriously wounded in a hit-and-run accident. He said she hadn’t been the same girl since the horrific occurrence that turned her life upside down.
“She told me, Daddy, that no one loves me. “The only person that loved me was my mother,” he added, “but I claimed that wasn’t true, and I said I love you.” “She was simply sobbing, wailing, and I could feel her anguish.”
Jackson said that he got a horrible feeling about his daughter leaving and pleaded with her to remain with him. Despite his denials, he kissed and hugged his daughter before she departed for a party with an unknown friend, leaving him for what he said was a “final farewell.”
The following morning, Tioni’s corpse was discovered, and investigations revealed that the kid had been slain – twice in the neck.
Her family is now in disbelief, trying to figure out why someone would take someone’s life so callously.
“Yeah, I was dumped on the interstate like nothing,” Jackson added. That was the last straw for me. It upset me because I was thinking, “Who could be so cold?”
READ MORE: Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Diana Ross & More Share Tributes To Fashion Designer Thierry Mugler
“We have a lot of questions.” “Everyone is in a state of shock,” said her cousin Rashida Kincy.
They want their loved one to be remembered for her beauty, liveliness, and brilliance, rather than being dehumanized as the inquiry into her death progresses. “Let us speak out, let us defend one another.” “Saving the life of the next kid,” Kincy added, “it might be your child, it could be your cousin.”
When her mother was killed in a car accident in 2019, Tioni started to rebel, vanishing for long periods of time and being drawn into thievery and prostitution, according to family members who spoke to The Los Angeles Times.
“We’re not claiming Tioni was an angel,” her cousin Nafeesah Kincy said to The New York Times. “She had been through a lot. I’d want to make her more human. I don’t want her to be labeled a prostitute, a runaway, or someone who makes others think, “Oh, yeah, they live that lifestyle.” “There are so many young ladies out here that are being abused and sexually exploited,” she said. “Today, it’s my cousin.” But tomorrow it may be your cousin, daughter, or friend.”
While the California Highway Patrol investigates, Tioni’s family intends to make a public appeal on Saturday.
They’ll gather to urge California officials, including the Los Angeles City Council and Governor Gavin Newsom, to establish an award for any information about her murder, similar to the one established in the fatal stabbing of Brianna Kupfer, whose victim was arrested on Wednesday after an award fund totaling $ 250,000 was announced for information in her case.
Najee Ali, who works with Operation Hope, will be among those in attendance. He told City News Service, “It’s critical that Governor Newsom and state elected authorities understand that Tioni Theus’ life mattered.” “It’s awful that someone could shoot and murder a young lady and then discard her corpse on the side of the highway like rubbish.”
The group will meet at the 76 Gas Station on South Figueroa Street in Los Angeles at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Search for “Tioni’s Funeral Expenses” on GoFundMe to find a GoFundMe for Tioni.
ADDITIONAL NEWS: A worker was critically injured in an explosion, and dozens of people were evacuated from a Chipotle in a high-rise in Downtown Los Angeles.
(CBS Broadcasting Inc., Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved.) This article was written with the help of City News Service.)
