88-Year-Old Church Pianist and Grandmother Killed in Hit-and-Run

The woman was described as "the kind of grandma everybody wants"

A family was in mourning Friday after a grandmother who played piano at church for more than 30 years was killed in a hit-and-run crash, and police were searching for the driver.

The 88-year-old pianist, Livia Jansen, was described as "the kind of grandma everybody wants."

"It's very difficult," church member Maggie Anguiano said. "It's more than losing a family member, because that's the type of person she was. The minute you met her, she embraced you as if she knew you all her life."

The crash happened about 8:35 p.m. Wednesday near Vincent Avenue and East Cypress Street in Covina when a Nissan Altima struck a Honda Accord carrying Jansen and her son, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Jansen's son, who remained hospitalized Friday, was driving the car when it crashed in front of Jansen's home and blocks from her church. Jansen died in the hospital.

Jansen leaves behind three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren..

Neighbor Daniel Hoyos said he was playing with his son when he heard tires screeching before the crash.

The three occupants of the Nissan, described as men in their 20s or 30s, fled the scene, police said.

The congregation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church was in disbelief over losing a "vibrant woman" who will no longer play in their chapel.

Police said they believe they know who they are searching for and are still trying to track down the three men who were in the Nissan.

NBC4's Christina Cocca contributed to this report.

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