Los Angeles Daily News, CA, USA


Man sought in east Hollywood transgender murder

Daily News Wire Services

Updated: 09/18/2009 07:27:44 AM PDT


A 24-year-old man was being sought on Thursday as a "person of
interest" in the murder of a transgender person in east Hollywood,
according to police.

Paulina Ibarra was found dead on the floor of her apartment at 939 N.
Mariposa Ave. around 8 p.m. Aug. 28, and police were asking the
public's help to locate Jesus Catalan regarding her murder, according
to the Los Angeles Police Department.

A suspect, or suspects, apparently entered Ibarra's home, "engaged in
a physical confrontation, resulting in the victim being stabbed to
death," police said.

The murder is being investigated as a hate crime, said Officer Sara Faden.

Police believe Catalan -- also known as Brian Nanes or Luis Santiago
-- was at the scene of the crime, and was being sought as a person of
interest.

Catalan is Hispanic, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 140 pounds. He has black
hair and brown eyes and a tattoo on his upper right arm.

A parolee at large, Catalan is considered armed and dangerous, police
said. Police believe he is homeless and frequents the Hollywood and
West Hollywood areas.

Anyone with information regarding Ibarra's murder or the whereabouts
of Catalan was asked to call Rampart Dets. Michael Arteaga or Chris
Linscomb at (213) 484-3650 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7.


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