Tioni Theus.Photo: Facebook
Online records confirm that on Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors signed off on the $10,000 reward for tips about who was involved in the 16-year-old girl’s murder.
Also on Tuesday, Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price introduced a motion to provide $50,000 in reward money for information about her killer. The council is expected to consider the measure next week.
“Tioni was a young lady with so much promise, joy and spirit, with God-given gifts and talents to give to the world,” said Price in a statement. “She had so much to live for and countless unfinished dreams. It’s disheartening to know that the person or persons responsible for her killing are still on the loose while a family and entire community continues to grieve in search for answers.”
In addition, a community nonprofit, Operation Hope, is contributing $5,000 to the reward pot.
Her remains had been left along a 110 Freeway on-ramp. The coroner’s office revealed she died from a gunshot wound to the neck.
The teen was last seen Jan. 7, as she was leaving her father’s Compton home on her way to a party.
The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation into Tioni’s death.
Investigators have not yet commented on a possible motive, and police have yet to identify any possible suspects in her killing.
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Senia Theus, Tioni’s cousin, told the paper the teen didn’t deserve to die this way.
“Everything made her laugh,” she said. “She was a bundle of joy, real bubbly and friendly. She was very goofy, happy. She was always smiling, even when she was crying.”
AGoFundMe campaignhas been established to raise money to cover the costs of the teen’s funeral.
source: people.com
