WEST HOLLYWOOD—On July 27, residents raised concerns about coyotes who occupied the abandoned construction site located at 939 N. Spalding Avenue/7732 Romaine Street. Neighbors of the construction site have reportedly caught surveillance footage of at least four coyotes who appear to have moved into the unfinished structure.

Wildlife experts have indicated that coyotes are known to occupy the dens of other species. Reports indicate that AA CA Property 2 LLC and designer JFAK Architects planned a 4-story, 22-unit condominium complex complete with subterranean parking, and designated to become low-income affordable housing units.

West Hollywood residents reported the coyote citing’s and their baying, yelping, and howling in the night. Wildlife experts indicated that initially well-meaning nature lovers were feeding the predators. Authorities explained that by feeding them, they could lose their fear of humans. By not foraging for their own food, they would rely on humans to eat.

Reports indicate that the coyotes had already begun venturing out in broad daylight.

The City of West Hollywood has an entire section on their website dedicated to Coyote Management.

The following came directly from the website of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“Coyotes provide many ecosystem benefits, such as controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. They will consume nearly anything, including rodents, rabbits, birds and eggs, reptiles, fruits, and plants, as well as pet food, human food, and trash.

Potential conflict with coyotes may occur due to property damage, loss of pets or small livestock, or human health and safety concerns if a coyote loses its natural fear of humans.”

According to wildlife experts, Coyotes are omnivores, meaning they will eat both plants and animals. June-August coyotes are more active as it is weaning season. This is when they are more protective of their dens.

They are on the hunt for food. Food could consist of anything from berries, lizards, rodents, rabbits, small mammals, goats, antelopes, small deer, fawns…

And while coyotes are generally afraid of humans, they are also opportunistic predators and have been known to attack small children.

West Hollywood West gave the following advice on their X social media page
Keep your distance
Keep dogs on a leash
Keep cats indoors
Don’t leave food outside
Keep trash bins closed

By Sharon

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Monday, July 27, the Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ordered David Anthony Burke, also known as D4vd, to stand trial on charges for murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposed and dismembered body was found in the front trunk of his car last year in Hollywood Hills in a Tesla.

Burke, 21, has been charged with one count each of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

The criminal complaint includes special circumstance allegations of murder of a witness, murder for financial gain and murder by means of lying in wait as well as a special allegation that Burke personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a sharp instrument, to commit the crime.

He is scheduled to return for a post-preliminary arraignment on August 31 in Department 105 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Prosecutors laid out the framework of their case against Burke during the preliminary trial. A dozen witnesses were called by the prosecution to describe key evidence that proves the defendant killed Celeste.

On April 23, 2025, Burke invited the victim to his home in Hollywood Hills. She arrived at the defendant’s house and was never seen again. Burke is accused of ordering a shovel that was delivered to his home the following day. Over the next several days, Burke, using an alias, allegedly ordered three chainsaws, a body bag and a blue inflatable pool.

Prosecutors allege that Burke fatally stabbed Celeste, placed her body in the inflatable pool and used a chainsaw to dismember her. Testimony showed that blood matching the victim’s DNA profile was found in the defendant’s garage.

On September 8, 2025, the victim’s decomposed and dismembered remains were found in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke that had been impounded after the vehicle was reported abandoned. Small, blue plastic fragments from the blue inflatable pool Burke purchased were found embedded in the victim’s remains.

The singer and songwriter had text messages with Celeste in the days and hours leading up to her murder showed that the victim threatened to expose Burke and destroy his career, prosecutors said.

If convicted as charged, Burke faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Monday, July 27, the city of Malibu announced that it met with Caltrans engineers to assess coastal erosion affecting several beachfront properties destroyed in the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and discuss potential measures to address the erosion.

Recent high tides and high surf have accelerated coastal erosion in the burn area where seawalls from the homes no longer provide any protection from the surf. In several locations, the erosion advanced close to the roadway.

Protecting public safety and nearby properties is the city’s highest priority. Based on the inspections conducted on Monday, Malibu red tagged several parcels as an immediate public safety measure to prevent pedestrian access to unsafe areas and protect the public from potential hazards associated with the deteriorating coastal embankment and roadside edge along PCH.

The city’s goal is to take action before the winter, when, according to the National Weather Service, a forecasted strong El Niño could bring intense rain that could further accelerate the erosion.

City officials will meet with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office to discuss coastal erosion on Tuesday, July 28, and will continue working closely with Caltrans and other agency partners, including SoCalGas and Waterworks District 29, to identify temporary measures to help protect the roadway, adjacent properties, and public safety.

Community Development Director and the City’s Building Official, Yolanda Bundy, is providing updates to the Malibu City Manager and Malibu City Council, and the city will continue to keep the community informed as additional information becomes available.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Following the water main rupture in West Hollywood, a Los Angeles businessman and resident suffered a brutal fall on a street near the breakage. On July 16, RJ Holguin, owner of My 12 Step Store and RJDesign LA, was walking across Santa Monica Boulevard at 11:30 p.m. and fell on a muddy, waterlogged street after jumping back from an approaching vehicle.

The water main rupture caused the streets of Sunset Boulevard and Holloway Drive to become submerged in gallons of water. A giant sinkhole was the result of the sinkhole.

Holguin, whose building was flooded left home that night to investigate. He parked his car near his building and while walking on a marked crosswalk on Santa Monica Boulevard avoiding a car collision at about 12 a.m. it was noted on Holguin’s Facebook page.

Holguin told WeHo Times he felt an “electric shock” course through his body before he lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness, he reportedly struggled to speak and felt little sensation in his palms.

Holguin was taken to a hospital and reported injuries to the C3 to C6 vertebrae that compressed his spinal cord, leading to central cord syndrome. This condition can allegedly rob patients of movement and sensation in the hands and arms.

On Monday, July 27, the following message was posted on Holguin’s Facebook page:

“Following RJ’s devastating water main-related accident in West Hollywood and his successful spinal cord surgery at Cedars-Sinai, today marks Day 12 of his recovery journey.

RJ has now been transferred from Cedars-Sinai to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Center, where he’ll begin the next phase of his recovery.

While the hospital is currently undergoing renovations, the staff has been absolutely outstanding and has gone above and beyond to make RJ feel comfortable and supported. Here, he is receiving Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy, with a tentative discharge date of August 8.”

 

City crews have spent days repairing the damage caused by the water main rupture. Sunset Boulevard was reopened to traffic on July 24.

By Ryley Metten

BEL AIR/SANTA MONICA—Kai Sato, a California entrepreneur and investor with ties to Santa Monica College, survived after being stranded at sea for over a month. Sato set out to challenge himself with his first solo crossing of the Pacific Ocean in his sailboat. He departed from the Catalina Islands on June 7.

Roughly two weeks into the voyage, plans were derailed by a series of unlucky events. His mast snapped, his motor ran out of fuel, and his phone died after getting wet. According to Hawaii News Now, Sato used PVC pipes and kayak paddles to jury-rig a sail, hoping to inch closer to a busy shipping lane.

He survived on oatmeal, fish, and squid, and by drinking condensation from seawater he collected in plastic bags. Sato was rescued when he was spotted by a Pasha Hawaii container ship after his sailboat drifted hundreds of miles from its intended route. He is now recovering with a relative in Hawaii.

Sato has a unique tie to the West LA area. He took classes at Santa Monica College and later graduated from the University of Southern California. During his time in college, he worked as a caddie at Bel Air Country Club.

Sato is also the founder of Kaizen Reserve and Vintage Capital Investments, and co-founder of the sports recruiting network FieldLevel. His hard work and dedication didn’t just help him succeed in business; it quite possibly saved his life.

In interviews with Hawaii News Now, Sato said he struggled emotionally at points during the ordeal, recalling that he cried for a week straight while drifting south.

Sato is undeterred by the experience. He is already planning another ocean crossing, this time to the Philippines, on a larger boat. His story is a reminder to never give up, even when the odds are stacked against you.

By Milan Manesh

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—A stretch of Hollywood Boulevard from Highland Avenue to North Orange Drive was closed Monday, July 27, for the premiere “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” at the Dolby Theatre.

Celebrities including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, and others could be seen walking the red carpet, answering reporters’ questions and showing off their outfits. The film itself was screened at the El Capitan Theatre, which is what prompted the road closures.

It is being reported the film is projected to make over $345 million domestically at the box office for opening weekend. This would make it the second-highest domestic opening weekend of all time, trailing only “Avengers: Endgame” which earned $357 million during its debut.

The film’s first trailer reportedly logged more than 1.1 billion views within four days of its release, which Sony described as a record debut for the franchise. Kalshi, the online betting platform, is even predicting a 92.4 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The social media embargo lifted Monday at 10 p.m. Pacific time, giving fans their first glimpse into viewers’ reactions from early screenings. Full written reviews cannot be published until Tuesday, July 28, at 6 a.m. PST.

The film officially hits theaters nationwide Friday, July 31.

By Milan Manesh

MALIBU—Fraser Michael Bohm, 24, has been charged with four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence following a high-speed crash that left four Pepperdine students dead in 2023. His attorney, Alan Jackson, filed a defense motion to dismiss the murder charges, which was denied at a pre-trial hearing on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The defense argued that the preliminary hearing in April was flawed. Jackson told the court that implied malice murder requires more than just tragedy and danger and requires proof that the natural and probable consequences of that act, and that act alone, are nearly certain to cause death.

Judge Thomas Rubinson denied the defense’s request. The charges will stand when the case heads to trial on September 8, with pre-trial motions scheduled to be heard on September 2.

The crash occurred on October 17, 2023, a day after Bohm’s 22nd birthday. He allegedly sped around a turn on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in his BMW, and according to prosecutors, was driving 104 mph in a 45-mph zone when he lost control of the vehicle.

He slammed into a parked red Mazda, careened into another parked car, then either struck a third vehicle or a stone wall. Four students standing alongside the roadway were struck when the parked cars Bohm hit were pushed into them, killing them at the scene.

Among the victims were Niamh Rolston, 20, Peyton Stewart, 21, Asha Weir, 21, and Deslyn Williams, 21, all four Pepperdine Seaver College seniors and Alpha Phi sorority sisters. They were set to graduate in 2024 but instead received their degrees posthumously.

Court documents state that Bohm had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the crash. Bohm’s trail is slated to start on September 8.

By Milan Manesh

SANTA MONICA—Around 5:21 p.m. on July 25, the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a call about a woman living in an apartment complex in the 1900 block of Pico Boulevard who required medical assistance but died at the scene.

On July 27, the Office of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner identified her as Cheyenne Zampino, 27, who was found in the bathroom of her apartment. Her cause of death is not yet known, but an exam has been scheduled to determine it.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information, including the name of the suspect, has been released.

The SMPD is asking anyone with information about the incident to call them at 310-458-8491.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—An autopsy report for renowned Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes, 71, has been released to the public nearly seven months after his death.

Sykes was murdered on December 8, 2025, inside his family home in Santa Monica. Authorities responded to a 911 call from Jubilant’s wife, Cecelia, around 9.20 p.m. after she reported that their son stabbed her husband.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, Cecelia came out of the shower and saw their adult son Micah standing over Jubilant, stabbing him with what she described as a sharp-edged weapon. When officers arrived at the residence, Sykes was found suffering from critical injuries consistent with a stabbing.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the autopsy report from the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner, the killing was ruled a homicide.

Sykes suffered 68 sharp force injuries and five blunt force injuries, for a total of at least 73 wounds. The report noted that Micah Sykes, 31, used a nine-inch curved blade and also struck his father with a 10-pound dumbbell.

Medical examiners concluded that multiple weapons were used in the attack. No motive has officially been released for why Micah allegedly killed his father.

Law enforcement and the victim’s family have made clear that Micah has a documented history of mental illness. He is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in August 2026.

Jubilant Sykes has is a Grammy-nominated opera singer who has performed at venues including Metropolitan Opera, Deutsche Oper Berlin, The Kennedy Center, London’s Barbican Centre, Hollywood Bowl, the New Orleans Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl to name a few.

He has collaborated with artists including Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Julie Andrews and John Beasley to name a few. He was nominated for Best Classical Album at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

By Milan Manesh

BEVERLY HILLS—On July 26, new reports circulated regarding an increase in burglaries of celebrities living in upscale areas of southern California. Actress, Morgan Stewart spoke recently on Jake Shane’s Therapus, podcast reporting a second burglary at her Trousdale Estates home.

In her July 24 interview with Jake Shane, Stewart indicated that she had two separate break-ins. The thieves stole a rare Hermès Birkin bag and her husband’s luxury watch collection.  The actress indicated that she was away on a school camping trip with her children when the theft happened.  The actress revealed that the intruders entered her home while a security guard was on duty.  Once he fell asleep, the thieves entered.  They ransacked her home, stealing designer handbags, and other valuables.

On July 14, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department reported that nearly $500,000 in luxury items, designer handbags, jewelry and clothing were stolen from rappers, and Chicago native, Lucki Camel Jr.

Camel reportedly discovered the theft when he returned to his home on July 14, at approximately 10:30 p.m.  Those who may have more information on the burglary are encouraged to call LASD West Hollywood Station at; 310-855-8850.

On Friday, January 30, at approximately 7:10 p.m., the home of Suits actress, Gina Torres was burglarized and ransacked.  Approximately $225,000 in jewelry and $25,000 in cash were stolen from Torres’s Sherman Oaks home.  A neighbor called the police.

Surveillance footage captured video footage of two male suspects leaving in a white sedan.

On November 15, 2025, Real Housewives actress Sutton Stracke had her 4-bedroom, 6-bath, Georgian-style historical mansion broken into.

Rick Hilton, and his wife and fashion designer and Real Housewives actress Kathy Hilton who are also the parents of Paris Hilton, also had their Bel-Air home burglarized on the same day as Sutton Stracke.  Both Hilton and Stracke were away in Las Vegas when their prospective homes were burglarized.

On August 22, 2025, Rhythm and Blue’s great, Lionel Richi’s home was broken into.  The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) reported the arrest of Michael John Bond, 38, who was held at the Beverly Hills Jail on $50,000 bond.

Reports indicate that the burglar alarm scared off the intruder before any damage was done. Nothing was stolen from Richie’s Beverly Hills estate.

The Los Feliz home of actor, Brad Pitt was burglarized on June 25, 2025.  In August 2025 four suspects; Jaquory Arman Watson, 18 Damari Zair Charles, 18, and two minors were arrested.  Watson and Charles were booked into jail on charges of first-degree burglary.

It is unknown what became of the juveniles involved in the theft ring.

Country music star, Keith Urban and actress Nicole Kidman’s home in Beverly Crest was broken into. Intruders entered their Beverly Hills home on February 14, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m.  This is not the famous couple’s primary residence. Reports indicate that their home away from home was burglarized and ransacked, while they were away.

New reports indicate that thieves have  disable cameras, attached tracking devices to luxury items, and jammed the Wi-Fi to cause a security system fail. Suspects are reportedly on the property for what appears to be other reasons such as landscaping or delivery personnel.

By Sharon