Uniek Atkins, 27, and her younger sister Sierra Brown were found fatally shot after a fire at their Westchester, Los Angeles apartment building on Belford Avenue on November 17, 2018. Police located the sisters’ bodies following the blaze; Sierra’s death was attributed to a gunshot wound to the neck, while Uniek’s precise cause of death required further investigation. Investigators concluded the fire had been set intentionally to conceal the killings.

The LAPD identified two juvenile suspects. One was 17 at the time and reportedly dating Sierra Brown; he was arrested on suspicion of murder. A second minor was arrested as an accessory to the homicide. The case was treated as a domestic violence incident and, because the primary suspect was prosecuted in juvenile court under Los Angeles County District Attorney policy, he faced detention only until age 25 rather than potential adult penalties. The victims’ family filed motions seeking transfer to adult court and to disqualify the District Attorney’s Office; those motions were denied and the family expressed outrage and devastation.

Anyone who knew Uniek or Sierra, or who has information about the Westchester fire or the events leading up to November 17, 2018, is asked to come forward.