homicide Archives - Local News Matters

Joanne "Joanie" Burdick, seen at 11 years old, left, and at 13 years old, right. Burdick was identified by Oakland Police Chief James Beere as a victim of suffocation by strangulation in Hotel St. Louis at 539 7th St., in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 2, 1969, nearly 57 years after her death. (Oakland Police Department via Bay City News)

Crime & Public Safety

57 years later: Jane Doe identified after being found strangled in Oakland hotel

by Katy St. Clair, Bay City News October 2, 2026October 1, 2026

Police in Oakland in conjunction with the FBI have identified a Jane Doe found dead in the city 57 years ago, the Police Department said Thursday. On Oct. 2, 1969, at about 3:30 p.m., officers in Oakland responded to the former Hotel St. Louis at 539 Seventh St. after receiving a report of a woman […]

Crime & Public Safety

SF man sentenced to life in prison nearly 50 years after murdering teen girl

by Alise Maripuu, Bay City News October 2, 2026October 2, 2026

A law enforcement officer stands at a podium during a press conference, with a memorial display for Avtar Singh, 57, visible behind him.

Crime & Public Safety

Not intended target: 3 indicted in kidnapping, killing of Tracy man

by Gabe Agcaoili, Bay City News October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

Dublin couple, both 77, charged with murder, lying in wait in son-in-law’s fatal shooting

by Kiley Russell, Bay City News September 30, 2026September 30, 2026

Crime & Public Safety

$50,000 reward: Berkeley police still seek answers in killing of man on his 35th birthday

by Thomas Hughes, Bay City News September 12, 2026September 12, 2026

The San Jose Police Department with the assistance of the Covert Response Unit (CRU), Special Operations MERGE Unit, Canine Unit, Violent Crimes Enforcement Team (VCET), and Metro Unit, Detectives located and arrested seven suspects in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Top L-R: Suspect Izaiah Hernandez, 18, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for murder, Sabastian Saldana, 34, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for crimes related to accessory after the fact, a juvenile suspect, 17 booked into the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall for murder, and Ezequiel Mercado, 20, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for murder. Bottom L-R: Nevaeh Luna-Rosales, 18, was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for crimes related to accessory after the fact, Jaden Diaz-Mejia, 18, booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for murder, Fabian Diaz-Gomez, 18, and Johnny Picazo, 36 were booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for murder. (San Jose Police Department via Bay City News)

Crime & Public Safety

8 arrested in San Jose shooting that killed a man, injured another

by Kiley Russell, Bay City News September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Santa Clara County district attorney seeks to try teen as adult in killing at birthday party

by Kathleen Kirkwood, Bay City News August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

Fourth family member dies over weekend, days after alleged Richmond home arson fire

by Kiley Russell, Bay City News August 24, 2026August 24, 2026

The alienation of Gen Z: Luigi Mangione, dark humor and a generation seeking authenticity

by Evan Clarkson, for The Conversation August 23, 2026August 19, 2026

10 years after the killing of Alex Goodwin Jr., Berkeley police offer $50K reward for clues

by Kiley Russell, Bay City News August 20, 2026August 19, 2026

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