As the manhunt continued Tuesday for a transient accused of beating his girlfriend to death with a hammer, writings in a notebook from the victim revealed how she feared for her life before she was killed.
The victim, 21-year-old Kassandra Ochoa, told her friend she feared for her life.
Her notebook revealed she called out for help, writing "God I need you now."
She also wrote numerous entries about her troubled relationship with her boyfriend, Antonio Medina, who was on the run ever since Ochoa was found bleeding and unresponsive Saturday after an attack with a hammer.
Antonio Medina, a 28-year-old transient, was identified as the suspect by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department after witnesses said they saw him running from the scene.
Her friend, Erika Ohm, said she warned Ochoa to leave Medina.
She was found Saturday at 1 a.m. beaten by a hammer in a vacant home on the street where the two grew up in the 470 block of South Sydney Drive.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Ohm, who used to also date Medina, said she watched him spiral into anger following the deaths of several people close to him on Sydney Drive, including his cousin Jesus Avelos who was shot and killed in February 2014, followed by the suicide of a young girl, and the murder of another close friend.
"It triggered and opened up a dark side of him to where he didn't care about anybody," Ohm said.
Medina's father spoke to Ohm Tuesday, saying he was beside himself with worry. He told Ohm in Spanish that he hopes there will be no more deaths.
"Your dad wants you to turn yourself in," Ohm said. "He loves and cares for you, and doesn't want anything bad to happen to you."
Several neighbors said they believe they saw Medina drive by a candlelight vigil at the crime scene.
Medina was described as 5-feet 7-inches tall, weighing 180 pounds.
Police believe he may still be in the East LA area, and anyone with information is encouraged to call Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Detectives also said that if residents spot him, don't confront him - just call 911.
Her family set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral services, which can be found here.
