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SANTA PAULA — 31 years have passed since the tragic murder of Eric Velasquez, a bright and ambitious 21-year-old student from Ventura, California, whose life was cut short on March 7, 1994. Despite the time that has elapsed, his case remains unsolved, and his family continues their relentless pursuit of justice.
Eric was known for his academic achievements, artistic talents, and kind heart. He was pursuing a degree in business with dreams of attending law school before his life was tragically taken. On the night of his murder, Eric was walking to his car in Santa Paula after dropping a friend off when he was shot and killed.
For decades, his family has endured the unimaginable pain of losing their beloved son and brother. Eric’s mother, Susan Ventura, has worked tirelessly to keep his memory alive and to seek justice. Her persistence led to the Governor of California offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Eric’s case.
“It’s time for the people of Santa Paula to come forward and do the right thing,” Eric’s mother, Susan Ventura, said. “The Santa Paula Police Department needs the public’s help with taking this killer off the streets. My son had his entire life ahead of him—dreams he never got to chase, a future that was stolen. Someone out there knows the truth, and I’m begging them to speak up. It’s been 31 years without answers, and I just want justice for my son. Three decades is a long time to live in fear of retaliation, but doing nothing only lets this person remain free. You have the power to help stop this from happening to other families.”
Susan invites members of the media to share Eric’s story, amplifying the reward and the family’s call for justice. The family remains hopeful that someone with critical information will step forward.
In addition to the Governor’s reward, the family has offered a $1,000 reward, with additional contributions from Crime Stoppers.
Eric’s legacy of generosity lives on through the Coastal Community Eye Bank of California, where his cornea donation gave two individuals the gift of sight and the chance to rebuild their lives.
If you have any information relating to the unsolved homicide of Eric Velasquez (or any criminal case), there are three ways to submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers: 1) call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 800-222-8477; 2) visit P3Tips.com or download the P3Tips app; or 3) visit venturacountycrimestoppers.org and click on “Submit a Tip.”
— Guest contribution
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