attorney

Sketch Released in Execution-Style Murder Case Dating to 2009

The victim, prominent attorney Jeffrey Tidus, was shot in the head, police say

Authorities on Wednesday circulated a composite drawing of a man wanted for questioning in the 2009 execution-style killing of a prominent attorney gunned down outside his Rolling Hills Estates home.

Jeffrey Tidus, 53, was shot about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, 2009, upon returning to his home in the 4600 block of Sugarhill Drive after attending a fundraiser in Redondo Beach, sheriff's Deputy Don Walker said.

The "person of interest" was described as a black man in his 30s, with dark hair and eyes.

"Jeffrey often brought work home with him," Walker said. "When he stepped out of his home to retrieve his work laptop computer from his vehicle, which was parked in his driveway, unknown assailant or assailants came up from behind Jeffrey and shot him once in the head."

The civil litigation attorney died at UCLA Harbor Medical Center the following day, leaving behind a wife, Sheryl, and daughter, Ilana Tidus. He was a partner with the law firm of Baute & Tidus.

At an April 26 news conference, sheriff's detectives said they had recently developed new leads in the cold case.

"Our focus has now been on the professional side of his business, of his life, and we feel that his murder is related," Lt. Victor Lewandowski said then. "And it's our belief that there are people out there who know about this murder and who know the identity of the suspect or suspects. Seemingly insignificant information could be the tip or lead that breaks this case open."

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $10,000 in reward money and Tidus' family offered $90,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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