Ten Years Lost

It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since the loss of my cousin, Lisa. She has been remembered this past week in the local (Pittsburg) newspapers and news reports honoring her memory. A candlelight vigil was held in her honor. I wonder what she would have become if given the opportunity. She would be a 25 year old young lady today. I feel for my aunt who I know misses her terribly.




After a decade, girl's killing still resonates
By Paul Burgarino
East County Times
Article Launched: 11/12/2008 12:01:00 AM PST
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Though there is pain still in her eyes, Minnie Norrell can't help but crack a smile or laugh while sharing memories of her daughter Lisa.

Ten years ago, her daughter disappeared after abruptly leaving a girlfriend's quincea±era practice in Antioch in a huff. There had reportedly been a dispute concerning a dance partner. Eight days later, Lisa's body was found near a landscaping business along Pittsburg-Antioch Highway. Her death certificate says she died of asphyxiation. Her killer has never been captured.

Prompted by a gold-framed photo of Lisa in front of a new computer, Minnie shared how her daughter bought the computer a week before her disappearance after working 60hours a week the previous summer baby-sitting.

As family and friends prepare to hold a candlelight vigil tonight to remember Lisa's short life, her death still resonates. News of the homicide shocked the East County community, coming within a month of the killing of two other women in Pittsburg industrial areas. The tragedy also became a focal point that united local residents.

Hundreds of people gathered outside Minnie Norrell's home shortly after she died for a candlelight vigil, singing the Selena song "Dreaming of You," a hit at the time and one of Lisa's favorites. Many children who had marched from the school stayed and comforted Minnie, Rohde said.

"Some kids said they would be her daughter. It was very touching," she said. "We think of teenagers as not caring or being sentimental. It was amazing to see how they really are."

"It really was a kind of a bringing together," said Frank Quesada, Pittsburg's mayor in 1998 and a family friend who knew Lisa since she was "a baby."

"It still hurts, to know that no one has been caught, that they're still breathing or with friends and family while Lisa didn't get to live," said childhood pal Noelle Arredondo.

Lisa's family mostly remembers the vivacious teen for the good times.

There are some things, though, that are too gut-wrenching for the family — Minnie will not drive down Pittsburg-Antioch Highway, and Tony changes radio channels when Selena plays.

They also try not to dwell on the "what if's." What if Minnie hadn't let her go to the quincea±era practice? What if Tony had agreed to go with his younger sister earlier that day instead of being embarrassed to dance?

On Nov. 6, Lisa disappeared after leaving the IDES Hall, heading home, carrying her dress and high-heel shoes.

Rohde said the girl was "strong-headed" and it was within her nature to storm out if she felt she was being picked on.

On Nov. 14, authorities discovered the body of the Pittsburg High sophomore face down, her hands clenched in fists, buried under cardboard and rubble outside the wall of a landscaping supply yard alongside Pittsburg-Antioch Highway. Investigators also found her two black shoes about 300 feet from each other on the road.

Pittsburg police officials say they are still under a gag order about certain aspects of the coroner and autopsy reports, including the exact cause of death and whether she was sexually assaulted. Police also will not comment on any physical evidence.

Finding the killer gets tougher as more time elapses, Lt. Brian Addington said, because the number of leads diminishes drastically. In the past year, the department has not received any new information.

Police will continue to follow every lead until the case is solved, he said.

The weekend before she died, Lisa wanted a $175 ring with her initials, but her mom said no because the rent had to be paid. It also was supposed to rain, and she didn't want to get pneumonia, Minnie said.

"Lisa said, 'Pneumonia, pneumonia, pneumonia, That's all you ever talk about,'" she said. "I had to laugh; that was the first time I ever brought it up."

Minnie bought the ring and buried it with her daughter.

Paul Burgarino covers Pittsburg and Bay Point. Reach him at 925-779-7164 or pburgarino@bayareanewsgroup.com.

There is a $60,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information may call 925-427-7369.

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