Local family still searches for killer of Jonathan Muse five years after slaying

Jonathan Muse would have been celebrating his 22nd birthday this week….

By Randy Economy

This week, Jonathan Muse would have been celebrating his 22^nd birthday here in the Artesia, Cerritos community he called home.

Instead, law enforcement officials continue to be at a standstill in finding the people who were responsible for his murder that took place at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2008.

Jonathan was riding his bicycle to visit a friend when he was shot on Pioneer Boulevard under the 91 Freeway.

Five years have passed since the murder of the teenager, and his grandmother Marie O’Donnell is still seeking justice.

“I think about my dear Jonathan each and every day. I miss him so much. This week he would have turned 22 years old. This has been a heavy Cross to carry,” O’Donnell today Los Cerritos Community Newspaper this week in an interview.

“Jonathan’s killers are still out there,” said O’Donnell.

Fox News has highlighted the murder case on its “LA’s Most Wanted” series in the past. Other media outlets in Southern California have also focused on the murder of Muse including the Los Angeles Times and ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

Friends and family fear that Muse may have been targeted by gang members even though they say he wasn’t in a gang. Muse had two brothers who served in Iraq, and was enrolled at the Southeast Academy in Norwalk that specializes in a strict military style education.

“I had two grandsons fighting for the freedom of this country, while their brother was murdered right here under the 91 Freeway while he was riding his bike,” O’Donnell said.

A $25,000.00 reward offered for information leading to the arrest of Jonathan’s killers is still available and a homepage seeking information on who is responsible for the unsolved crime remains in operation at www.jonathanmuse.com.

O’Donnell also plans to “reach out” to newly elected California State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia who represents both Artesia and Cerritos in Sacramento. “I would love to have this underpass where Jonathan was murdered to be named in his honor. I will never stop seeking justice for my grandson.”

It is very likely that the killer has bragged about the murder. Anyone with any information about the murder of Jonathan Muse should call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.