Los Angeles County offers $10,000 reward in desert killing of Elena Kazanes

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on November 10 to offer a $10,000 reward for information to help solve the killing of Elena “Rae” Kazanes, 40, who was found shot dead in February in the remote desert community of Lake Los Angeles in northern Los Angeles County. No one has been arrested, and no suspect has been publicly identified.

Body found beside a remote desert dirt road

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded at about 11:21 a.m. on February 19, 2026, to a dirt access road about a mile east of 140th Street East near East Avenue E, where they found Kazanes’ body in an isolated desert location with visible signs of trauma. The county Medical Examiner later determined she died of gunshot wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Reward proposed by the Fifth District supervisor

The reward was proposed by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Antelope Valley. “Elena Kazanes’ life was taken in a horrific act of violence, and her loved ones deserve answers,” Barger said. “Someone out there knows what happened to her, so I’m hopeful this reward will encourage that person to come forward and help bring those responsible to justice.” The reward applies to information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of those responsible.

Detectives believe someone knows and has not come forward

Homicide detectives believe there may be people who know what happened to Kazanes or who is responsible but have not contacted authorities. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or to submit a tip anonymously at lacrimestoppers.org. The investigation remains ongoing. Sources: MyNewsLA; AV Daily News.