Mary Melina Castro was 29 when she was fatally shot in the head on May 1, 2007, in the 1700 block of Figueroa Street in Los Angeles’ Harbor Division. She had driven from San Diego to Los Angeles and the shooting occurred around 3 p.m.; investigators initially suspected a robbery. Mary, born August 28, 1977, was a debt collector and the mother of a daughter, Jasmine Trujillo. She was known to family and friends by the nickname TRAVIESA.

LAPD Harbor Homicide Detectives Frank Weber and Mike Salvo led the investigation. At least one Latino suspect was arrested in connection with the murder and detectives reported the case was cleared. Mary’s parents, Jose Castro and Maria Martinez, and her siblings survived her; she was buried at La Vista Memorial Park in National City, San Diego County.

If anyone knew Mary, saw her in Los Angeles that day, or has information about the events on Figueroa Street on May 1, 2007, please share what is known.