Isidro Sanchez

Isidro Sanchez was 39 years old when he died on Thursday, July 16, 2009, in Pasadena. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, he died of stab wounds, and the location recorded for his death was North Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard. His death was ruled a homicide, and it is listed as a Pasadena Police Department case.

The Los Angeles Times Homicide Report described him as "a 39-year-old Latino" who "was stabbed in the head and neck July 16 at North Fair Oaks Avenue and East Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena." Lt. John Dewar of the Pasadena Police Department told the paper that Sanchez was "also known as Mario Sanchez Pacheco," which means some people who knew him may have known him by that name rather than the one in the coroner's records.

Dewar gave a fuller account than many such entries contain. He said Sanchez "was stabbed in the parking lot of Prestige Auto Repair on Fair Oaks Avenue, then made his way about 100 feet toward the intersection, where he collapsed on the sidewalk." Someone walking by saw him and called paramedics. Sanchez was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later. Police received the call at 11:20 p.m., Dewar said.

According to the lieutenant, "Police believe Sanchez was drinking with a group of people in the parking lot when a fight broke out, but detectives do not know what happened leading up to the stabbing." At the time of the report, police did "not have a description of the suspect or a motive." A photograph published with the Times entry showed a street memorial set up for him.

That account does not say who else was in the parking lot or whether the people drinking with him were friends or strangers. A group gathering suggests that several people may have seen part of what happened. None appear to have come forward publicly.

Beyond those details, little about Isidro Sanchez's life has been made public. No obituary, memorial page or family fundraiser could be found. Isidro Sanchez is a fairly common name, and searches turn up many other men who share it in Texas, Washington and elsewhere, none of whom can be tied to this death.

Pasadena lies at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is known around the world for the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, and it is home to the California Institute of Technology. Fair Oaks Avenue is one of the city's main north-south streets, and Orange Grove Boulevard is one of its best-known east-west routes. The intersection where Sanchez collapsed lies in northwest Pasadena, a part of the city with small businesses, auto shops and modest homes.

Hundreds of people are killed in Los Angeles County every year, and a large share of those killings end without an arrest.

No arrest, criminal charge or court case connected to the death of Isidro Sanchez could be found in news archives or public records. More than 16 years later, there is no public sign that anyone has been held responsible. Anyone who was in the parking lot on Fair Oaks Avenue that night, or who knew a man called Isidro Sanchez or Mario Sanchez Pacheco in northwest Pasadena in July 2009, may hold information that could help. Even a small detail, such as a name overheard, a vehicle seen nearby or a conversation remembered, can help detectives move a case forward. Anyone with information can contact the Pasadena Police Department, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).