Gov. Gavin Newsom re-released $50,000 rewards in six unsolved crimes in the Bay Area ranging from last year to almost three decades ago, to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
The cases in Petaluma, Oakland, Freemont, Hayward, San Pablo and Hillsborough were among 30 across the state selected for special attention by the Governor’s Office.
The rewards are more than idle promises. A $50,000 reward was paid in December for information that led to a 2025 conviction in the murder of a 14-year-old girl, De Anna Lynn Johnson of Vacaville in 1982.
The most recent Bay Area case involves the shooting of a Hillsborough police officer on Feb. 22, 2025. The officer was ambushed on the property of the Hillsborough Police Station at 1600 Floribunda Ave. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Josh Wang at (650) 375-7470.
The oldest Bay Area case is from Aug. 22, 1997, when 12-year-old Georgia Moses of Petaluma went missing from her home and was found dead next to the U.S. Highway 101 southbound on-ramp at Petaluma Boulevard South. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 565-2727.
An Oakland case from Dec. 4, 2009, focuses on Antonio Nunez, 16, who was fatally shot by an unknown assailant outside of his home. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Yun Zhou at (510) 238-3821 or submit an anonymous tip at (510) 238-7950.
“These rewards send a message that every case matters, every victim matters, and that we are all working toward increased accountability. …”
Gov. Gavin Newsom
In Fremont, on Jan. 27, 2007, 20-year-old Emerson Zuniga was killed by three unknown assailants while he was walking down the street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jacob Blass at Jblass@fremont.gov or (510) 790-6900 or submit an anonymous tip at (510) 494-4856.
In Hayward, Lamar Murphy, 16, was fatally shot while riding his bicycle on Jan. 24, 2017. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office at (510) 667-3636. Anonymous tips can be submitted at (510) 667-3622.
In San Pablo, on June 12, 2020, Shawn Tillis, 27, was fatally shot in his vehicle in front of an apartment complex. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Robert Brady at (510) 215-3295 or Lt. Bradley Lindblom at (510) 215-3261.
“Every family deserves answers and justice,” Newsom said in a statement. “These rewards send a message that every case matters, every victim matters, and that we are all working toward increased accountability. If you know something, it is your duty to come forward.”
Under California law, investigators who have exhausted all leads in specific unsolved cases can ask the governor to issue rewards to encourage anyone with information to come forward.