Police Seek Information In Fatal Stabbing Of Woman Found At Bus Bench

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities are asking for the public's help Wednesday in providing information that may lead to the arrest of those responsible in the fatal stabbing a woman in Los Angeles.

The victim, identified as Najat Pennell, 41, was found at a bus bench on Wilshire Boulevard on the morning of Feb. 28, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a written statement.

According to the statement, officers received a call of an ambulance death investigation about 9:20 a.m.

They pronounced Pennell dead at the scene; however, authorities believe she had been dead hours before being discovered.

An autopsy found that Pennell, homeless for several years, was stabbed.

Authorities said she frequently slept at the bus bench at Wilshire Boulevard and Norton Avenue.

A motive for the crime remained unknown, police said.

Anyone who may have been in the area and saw something suspicious either in the late night hours of Feb. 27 or early Feb. 28 is asked to call West Bureau homicide detectives at (213) 382-9470 or to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 during nonbusiness hours or on weekends.