What I’ve Learned So Far About the UCLA Coed’s Murder Case.

Los Angeles, CA—I took an early interest in the case because of my closeness to past and present UCLA students and alumni. 

It was about 7:00 AM when LAFD emergency vehicles came screaming to the Scene midblock at 10900 Roebling adjacent to the UCLA Campus.

It was a lucky break that some of the students there were awakened by screams and fellow residents were up trying to combat the fire with a fire extinguisher on the first floor, Eastern side of the complex. 

That was the residence of UCLA Spanish and Psychology major, Andrea “Andy” DelVesco.   Andy was an active member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. 

Some of the more observant kids present were able to tell the firemen that Andy was unaccounted for and they began an aggressive search.  They found Andy badly burned and beyond all medical aid.  Some 30 firefighters were able to contain the blaze within ten minutes.

Thankfully no others suffered injuries considering this was early when the complex residents would normally be asleep.  Without early discovery by neighbors and and LAFD intervention this could have been a tragic holocaust.  

Soon UCLA police and members of the LAPD determined that this was an arson fire that was set to cover up a murder.  Ignorant criminals often believe setting their crime scenes on fire will destroy evidence and make detection more difficult.  More often this creates even more evidence that will snare the criminals.  This would prove to be one of those cases.

Police quickly notified Andy’s parents, Art and Leslie DelVesco in Austin, TX.  They wasted no time, jumping on the next flight to L.A.  I can’t imagine the horror they are still reeling from and the devastation to their close-knit family.

Police did what cops do these days.  They quickly learned about the recent felony drug possession for sale arrest of Andy and discovered she was cooperating with authorities to curry favor possibly evading a ruined life with a felony conviction and prison term.

It’s obvious to me that the arresting agency (UCLA Police Department) dropped the ball badly here and failed to protect their indentured informant.

Police also obtained Andy’s computer and cellphone.  They’d also get search warrants to capture every possible communication records from her ISP, Email and phone providers.  That of course gave them a shopping list of potential suspects to investigate. 

Once they zeroed in on obvious involved characters their cell phone and emails would be captured via search warrants and analyzed too.

Police released the crime scene on September 21.  However curiously on the afternoon of the 23^rd they returned with a search warrant spending the next 30 hours sifting through the debris for evidence.

On September 27 police got a break in the case that gave them probable cause to arrest 22 year-old Alberto Medina who is a pre-psychology and social work major at Fresno State University. That also gave police the ability to obtain search warrants for his cars and residences.  Fresno police acting on a request from the LAPD took Medina down and into custody during a felony stop on the street without incident.

It was learned that Medina was a Member go the Lambada Chi Alpha Fraternity but was expelled over some bad behavior.  

That in turn led police back to the Westwood UCLA Campus.  On the evening of September 27 an LAPD SWAT team raided the nearby Strathmore Regency Apartments arresting 22 year-old Eric Marques for murder too. Needless to say they used a search warrant to locate and seize evidence from his apartment.

Like Andy and Alberto Medina, Eric Marquez had a promising future.  He was a pre-med biology UCLA student. 

On September 28, police felt they could announce their arrests to the media without comprising the investigation.

What remains to be told is more about the motive and the various informants and witnesses that were involved. One life senselessly snuffed out and two others that will unlikely ever taste their freedom again.

Because of the nature of the kinds of drugs seized from Andy by police last June it’s apparent at least to me that the drug ring was catering to Rave Festivals and such.

I have to ask when will we learn that the Drug War and the huge profits it generates are far more evil than the drugs themselves.  How many more lives will be lost or destroyed before we understand treating the addicted is far cheaper and better than the constant violence the Drug Was creates? 

In the meantime we will be waiting and watching as this nightmare unfolds in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Why is History in Ruins In West Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA—Nestled between Brentwood and Westwood on the North side of Wilshire Blvd. is the sprawling Veteran’s Administration campus.

It contains the Veteran’s Cemetery, The West Los Angeles VA Hospital, a stadium and even a golf course. There is limited housing for some of our old soldiers riding out what time they have left on this earth.

Standing there is this grand old white Victorian designed building with peeling paint.  What it his building and what’s it’s story?

This old Army veteran had to take his little camera drone and check the place out.  Along the way I learned its history.

Sit back and watch my report on the old Wadsworth Chapel.

Please Enjoy Yet Another Drone Video

Los Angeles, CA—On a quiet Sunday Morning my little drone took a ride above Westwood area of Los Angeles.  The video shows the Southern portion of the UCLA campus, Wilshire Blvd and beyond.  On the West you can see the Veteran’s Cemetery, The VA Hospital and the 405 Freeway.   

Unfortunately because of the terrific music attached this cannot be seen in Europe. 

The Sad Ending of My Quadcopter Drone Spycam

Los Angeles, CA—I thought I learned how to fly my new Blade 350 quadcopter very well.  It was now time to shoot some cool video over the trendy UCLA neighborhood of Westwood while I was in town.  I wanted video of the old movie houses and such from not so high above. 

I carefully placed and set up a brand new GoPro 3+ camera on the gimbal and sent the drone all over the area for nearly 10 minutes.  I landed it perfectly and changed the battery sending it up to the Western sky.   I sent it up really high and unfortunately this time directly into the sun. 

I was completely blinded and I maneuvered the control to the North.  However I completely lost sight of it and the advertised return home feature failed miserably.  It simply vanished from view.

The little drone should have flown until the battery discharged and the thing would have slowly descended until it made a soft landing, but where?  I don’t have a clue!  A rooftop?  The VA Cemetery?  Did it land on busy nearby street or sidewalk?  Is it somehow on the roof of the FBI building?

To me this major mystery is nearly as important as the 1937 disappearance of Amelia Earhart her navigator Fred Noonan along with their Electra plane somewhere not far from Howland Island.  

I did not place identification or a phone number on it so it is lost forever.  The camera and the 64 gigabyte SD Ram card long with the drone cost well over $400.00 and the device itself $650.00.  Then there are the tools and accessories I bought that will now remain idle. 

More that anything I want the contents of the GoPro’s SD Ram card. 

Oh well it was fun while it lasted! I am incredibly sad right now. 

Update:

I began to analyze what went wrong and how I should have handled the emergency mid flight.   In retrospect I should have been able to avoid the panic and loss of the aircraft.

First and foremost, when the sun blinded me, I should have simply let go of the controls and it would have hovered in place.   I would have had at least five minutes to think up options. 

I could have moved the thing a bit to the right or left and let go of the controls again until I could get a visual on it.  Then I could have finished my flight without the drama and heartache. 

The cause of this air disaster was pure and simple pilot error.  Inexperience and over-confidence is a killer! 

   

   

Westwood Village in Los Angeles is a Lively Place

Los Angeles, CA—When I’m in L.A. it’s in Westwood Village this is what I see. It’s primarily the land around UCLA and there are students everywhere out celebrating their youth. Needless to say there are some smashing looking coeds among the ordinary.

Westwood is on the West side next to toney Brentwood.

There are four large movie theaters here that are the scene of Hollywood film premiers. There are many restaurants, stores and places for ice cream and yogurt competing for the student trust fund accounts.

Westwood Memorial Park is here that houses the remains of some many well-known actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Don Knotts, Burt Lancaster, and Jack Lemon.

The area is well protected by both L.A.P.D. and the UCLA Police Department. Serious crimes here are rare accordingly.

Sit back and enjoy two short videos I shot, one and night and the other in daylight.

On Meeting Clint Eastwood Today In Westwood…

Los Angeles, CA--Shopping with his wife is one of my all time favorite actors, Clint Eastwood. They were shopping at the Whole Foods in Westwood Village. I quietly complimented him on his achievements and let him shop in peace.

Eastwood extended his hand for a handshake and flashed a broad smile. As much as I wanted to have his wife take a picture of him and me it would have made a spectacle of his shopping so I ruled that out.

A Lonely Walk In Westwood By UCLA

Los Angeles, CA—Westwood Village is the neighborhood where UCLA is located. I took a walk there the other day with my little $200.00 Flip HD camera. The music reflects my unusual demeanor that day.

Westwood has been hit hard by the economy’s troubles as two of its many grand and historic theaters will be closing. Please enjoy the sights and sounds.