What appeared to be just a house fire was possibly an attempt to cover up a murder.
Firefighters quickly knocked down a blaze at the corner of Irvine and Riverside yesterday afternoon only to find a body in the residence.
I observed the tail end of the event and was amazed at the number of units that responded – at least four engines and two hook-and-ladder companies. The fire department’s quick and overwhelming response is worthy of praise.
The victim, Chere Osmanhodzic, was 34.
Her boyfriend reported confronting a man who was leaving the house. He chased him for several blocks, but could not catch him. By the time he got back, the house was in flames.
I Googled the victim’s name and came up with a Cheree Osmanhodzic, just one letter off in the first name.
While I can’t be certain it is the same person, the search result was for a wedding registry page for a ceremony this September.
If it is the same individual, it makes this case even more tragic. KABC reported Ms. Osmanhodzic had a wedding planned.
What is certain is that the murder scene is within one block of the restaurant where four patrons were shot to death just a few months ago.
Normally, burglary from automobile is the most common crime in the community. These two back-to-back events prove how mercurial crime stats can be.
Paul Hatfield
Suzanne Lauer
Join Neighborhood Council Valley Village NCVV at the 27th Annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Aug 3rd at Valley Village Park. All Valley Village Stakeholders Welcome.
Join NCVV, LAPD, Nixle, Crime Stoppers and your neighbors.
http://www.myvalleyvillage.com for more information.
yes, same woman. i believe she adds the “e” for correct pronunciation. her wedding to her fiance was 2 months from yesterday. not only did her fiance confront and chase the man barefooted, he received a broken hand in his attempt to protect himself from the suspect’s weapon.
I can’t begin to feel the pain the fiance and her family must be experiencing.
The murderer must have been acquainted with her, either directly or indirectly.
Her name is Cheree and IS the most genuine, loyal, amazing, self less person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing! This is a true tragedy!
Such a tragedy. I know the family of her fiance’ and I can’t even imagine what they’re going through.
I wonder if there was an ex-boyfriend who was enraged and hired the thug to commit the murder.
Regardless, it was as heartless and animalistic act as it gets.
I can only hope her family and fiance find closure.
I just attended a candle light vigil for Cheree. I met her grandmother & aunts…very sad. She was so beautiful and young. I hope they catch the killer that shattered a family & community soon.
I was blessed to have known Cheree and I just saw her the Wdnesday prior to her death. She really was a sweet, beautiful, and kind person. Her life was about to change with her new job and her wedding with Adam. Everyday I saw her at work she would be the first to say hello. Her kind heart and warm smile will stay with me forever. This animal who took her life will be caught and will pay for what he has done. I held Adam at the vigil, but no words of mine can express the sadness that I feel for her, him, family, and friends. There was a picture of Cheree that had words written above that I will never forget. “Please find my killer”. We all must help to find him and never let this crime go unsolved. Let’s all put her to rest by finding him and give him his punishment. We need help and answers. I, we love you Cheree and we will find him!
Please come to Neighborhood Council Valley Village’s Neighborhood Watch event on Tuesday night Aug 3.
The event was scheduled before the murder, but, in light of this tragedy, it now has been expanded to include Councilman Krekorian who will discuss crime in the community. The LAPD will also be represented.
It will be at Valley Village Park starting about 6PM.
Friends of Cheree, please join Neighborhood Council Valley Village (NCVV), LAPD and City Councilman Paul Krekorian on Tuesday, Aug 3rd for the 27th Annual National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime at Valley Village Park- 5000 West Park Drive from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. The LAPD and Councilman Krekorian will use NNO as a Town Hall Forum to update the community on the death of Cheree Osmanhodzic. For more information please visit our website at; http://www.myvalleyvillage.com
Suzanne Lewis
Chair, Projects
NCVV
[...] Council Valley Village’s annual promotion of Neighborhood Watch comes on the heels of Chere Osamanhodzic’s murder. The event is always held on the first Tuesday of August, in conjunction with similar gatherings [...]
I CANT BELIEVE WHY ANYONE WOULD DO SUCH A UNTHINKABLE ACT 7:00PM ON A SAT NIGHT?I RESIDE 3 BLOCKS FROM THE CRIME AND HAVE BEEN SO SCARED SINCE.I PRAY FOR THE FAMILY OF CHEREE AND WE HAVE TO GET THIS ANIMAL OFF THE STREETS AND IN JAIL WHERE HE BELONGS.PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AT ALL TIMES AND STAY ALERT BECAUSE THIS MAN COULD STILL BE IN OUR AREA AWAITING HIS NEXT VICTIM.I HOPE HE FINDS HIS WAY TO MY HOUSE BECAUSE I HAVE SOMETHING WAITING FOR HIM HERE!!!!!!!
I’m still at a loss about the motive. Regardless, by all accounts I’ve heard the victim was as fine a person as you could meet. What a sickening tragedy.
[...] September 13, 2010 by Paul Hatfield The LAPD will hold a press confererence on Tuesday. A suspect is expected to be named in the brutal murder of Chere Osmanhodzic. [...]
[...] was followed by a brutal slaying of a young bride-to-be just across the street from the restaurant where the mass shooting occurred. Chere Osmanhodzic was [...]