October 22, 2022
WOODLAND HILLS, Los Angeles—A $50,000 reward is being offered for information in the brutal killing of an 81-year-old woman in her Woodland Hills home.
Ok Ja Kim’s body was found wedged under her bed on August 2 after a fire in the 20800 block of West Martha Street. She had been stabbed, strangled, and set on fire, according to KTLA5.
Detectives believe someone forced their way into Kim’s home, ransacked it, and killed her.
“I think the public absolutely needs to understand the details of this crime. They need to understand that we are all vulnerable to a level of vulgarity and disgust that just exists in this world, and people need to act,” the victim’s daughter, Clara Kim, said during a press conference on Thursday.
“This could have been anyone’s family. This could have been your mom, this could have been your dad.”
Los Angeles police Detective Sharon Kim stated they do not know if the victim was followed home before the attack and she is asking for anyone with information or surveillance footage to come forward.
“I have worked many years in homicide and even more than that investigating violent crime, and I can honestly say that in my entire career I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a senseless and brutal act of murder,” Detective Kim said.
The 81-year-old was retired and lived alone after her husband passed away last year.
“Still to this day we wake up and we think this is still a dream,” stated Clara Kim.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at 818-374-1925. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Feature Screenshot via CBS Los Angeles