Woman found dead, her mouth taped and hands bound, in South Los Angeles, LAPD says

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A 54-year-old woman was found dead, with tape over her mouth and her hands bound, early Sunday morning in South Los Angeles, authorities said.

Fatima Johnson’s body was discovered “inside her own home” in the 7600 block of South Western Avenue, said longtime South L.A. activist Najee Ali.

According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, officers responded to the location shortly after midnight. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles firefighter-paramedics.

There were no other obvious signs of trauma, the LAPD said.

Johnson’s daughters say they discovered her body early Sunday morning. Her car and jewelry were missing.

“The scene that my sisters and I…witnessed first-hand and what happened to my mother is something that no child should ever see of their parent,” said daughter Tyesha Harvey.

Her family began searching for Johnson when she didn’t show up for work, which they say was very unusual.

Johnson’s family and friends say they believe Johnson’s boyfriend is responsible.

“He was just released from prison six months ago after completing a 25-year sentence for murder,” Harvey said. “We took it upon ourselves to start popping up on my mother and checking in on her to make sure she was all right because we didn’t feel comfortable with her relationship.”

Investigators say they are looking at the boyfriend as a person of interest but say the investigation is still early. The suspect, identified only as a male, fled the scene in an unknown direction, police said, adding that the incident is not believed to be gang-related.

Harvey adds her mother’s murder is a huge loss for the community she always tried to help – whether it was feeding the neighborhood kids or helping someone with gas money. Her family hopes her killer will soon be behind bars.

“My mother made an impact on everyone that she touched. Everyone that knows Fatima Johnson, they’re going to tell you some good things about her, no matter who you talk to, because she made an impact on everybody,” she said.

A candlelight vigil was scheduled in Johnson’s honor for 6 p.m. Monday outside her home, Ali said. A growing memorial of candles and flowers now sits outside her door.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family with the cost of funeral services.

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