Family Still Seeks Justice For Dad Killed In 2001

WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA.com) — As Salvador Sanchez's family preps the Thanksgiving turkey, they say the holidays can be tough.

"It hasn't been the same without him," niece Betsy Castro said.

Sanchez was killed in December 2001. His daughter says he was a day laborer and often didn't spend the night at home but on the streets waiting for work.

And police say that's what he was doing the night he was killed. He had been working at a Woodland Hills car wash and spent the night there when someone attacked and killed him, police said.

"I remember him, and I feel very sad," daughter Guadalupe Guillen said."

Police released composite sketch of the man they say may have killed Sanchez.

They say several days after the killing, someone called police to say he'd just bought coffee for a transient near the car wash who talked about the death.

Now, 15 years later, police say, they have new evidence that supports what the caller said. But he didn't leave his name, and now police hope to talk to him again.

Sanchez's niece was 14 when he was killed. All grown up now, she says she's sad he's missed so much.

"He didn't get to see me married, have my children, my children get to know him," Castro said.

And his daughter says what she really wants this Christmas will never happen.

"I want him to get him back, but it's impossible." Guillen said.

Anyone with information is asked to call detective Martin Mojarro at 213-486-6813 or detective Jeffrey Allen 213-486-6810.