Originally published Saturday, January 3, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Comments (0)
E-mail article
Print view
LA coroner IDs 6 killed in Christmas Eve massacre
The Los Angeles County coroner's office has identified six of the nine people killed when a man dressed as Santa Claus attacked his ex-wife's family on Christmas Eve.
The Los Angeles County coroner's office has identified six of the nine people killed when a man dressed as Santa Claus attacked his ex-wife's family on Christmas Eve.
Bruce Pardo, distraught over his divorce, shot up the home in Covina where his ex-wife and her family had gathered and then sprayed the house with flammable gas, authorities said. He was burned when the gas ignited and later fatally shot himself.
Coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said Saturday that the office identified the bodies of the ex-wife's parents: Joseph Ortega, 80, of Covina, who died from multiple gunshot wounds, and Alicia Ortega, 70, who was shot in the abdomen.
Also killed were Teresa Ortega, 51, who was shot in the leg but died from burns and smoke inhalation; Alicia Ortiz, 46, of Upland; Charles Ortega, 50, of West Covina and his wife, Cheri, 45. Ortiz, Ortega and his wife died of multiple injuries, including burns, gunshot wounds and smoke inhalation.
Three bodies remain unidentified. Covina police said three people are listed as missing: the ex-wife, Sylvia Pardo, 43; Teresa Ortega's husband James, 52, and Michael Ortiz, the 17-year-old son of Alicia Ortiz.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
More Nation & World headlines...
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
![]()
A Bing deal for Microsoft, News Corp.?
Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
6.8-magnitude quake rattles Tonga
8 charged in probe of terrorism-recruiting network in U.S.
Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Metropolitan Pilates Pre-Thanksgiving Sale
- Furnishments Thanksgiving Weekend Sale
- Sky Nursery Holiday Open House
- Cicada Bridal Party Dress Sale
editors' picks
- Garden furnishings
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- West Seattle shopping
- Independent bookstores
- Home break-in ends in shootings, Everett police say
- Steve Kelley | Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
- Mariners Blog | Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
- As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Bellevue Blog | Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Husky Men's Basketball Blog | An interview with Enes Kanter's coach
- Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
251 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
240 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
206 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
152 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
139 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
90 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
82 - Man shoots self at Westlake Center
78 - Teen pimp found guilty of human trafficking
60 - Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
49
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'

