$75K Reward Offered in Death of Local Cook's Family

A $75,000 reward was being offered today in the "suspicious" March 5 deaths of a 28-year-old woman and her 1-year-old son found dead in a converted garage where they lived after a smoldering fire gutted the place.

Firefighters first dispatched to the area found no sign of a fire but. about 90 minutes later, found the garage burning in 100 block of East 50th Street about 11:30 a.m., put out the fire and found the bodies.

Los Angeles police homicide Detective Kelle Baitx said Gisela Yauli, 28, had been bound. Her son, Dillon Reyes, was declared dead at a hospital.

Yauli's boyfriend, Oscar Reyes, a cook at Henry's Tacos, told news outlets he did not know why anyone would want to kill his girlfriend and son. He said he was dropping off his 7-year-old son, Kenny, and on his way to work when the fire started.

According to broadcast reports, Yauli's car keys were found in the ignition of her vehicle.

Baitx confirmed the fire had been set but declined to elaborate.

The reward was offered by the Los Angeles City Council for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution of the suspect or suspects. Tipsters should call detectives David Torres or Jose Calzadillas, (323) 846- 6556; or (877) LAPD-247.

--City News Service