On November 7, 2016, Police Chief Robert Luna announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the double murder investigation of a mother and daughter.
“Today, their family and our community can find some comfort in the knowledge that a person believed to be responsible for their deaths is in our custody,” said Police Chief Robert Luna, “I’m extremely proud of the men and women of our department, especially the Homicide detectives, for their efforts and dedication toward solving this case.”
On Saturday, August 6, 2016, at approximately, 10:20 p.m., Carina Mancera, her boyfriend, and their 4-year-old daughter Jennabel returned home from shopping. After parking their car near 9th Street and Locust Avenue, they began walking toward their apartment when they were brutally shot and killed by an unknown assailant. The suspect also fired a shot at Carina’s boyfriend before fleeing.
Homicide detectives have diligently investigated this incident since it occurred. As forensic evidence from the crime scene was being processed by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department laboratory personnel, detectives continued to pursue all viable leads. On October 31, 2016, laboratory personnel notified L.B.P.D. detectives that their DNA submission had positively identified an individual who had recently been arrested. The individual was arrested on August 27, 2016 for driving a stolen, by the Los Angeles Police Department.
On Sunday, November 6, 2016, L.B.P.D. detectives booked 22-year-old Brandon Ivan Colbert of Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the murders of Carina Mancera and Jennabel Anaya, and the attempt murder of Carina’s boyfriend. Colbert is currently being held without bail at the Long Beach City Jail. At the time of his arrest, Colbert was in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for the unrelated L.A.P.D. arrest.
A motive for the murders has yet to be determined and the investigation remains ongoing. On November 8, 2016, detectives will present the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
Through the course of their investigation, detectives determined Colbert boarded a Greyhound bus in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on August 3, 2016, and arrived in Los Angeles on August 4, 2016. Detectives have released Colbert’s booking photo in an effort to prompt anyone who may have spoken with him either on the bus or after he arrived in Los Angeles to come forward.
Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that others may be involved. A $40,000 reward for information is being offered. Anyone with information is urged to contact L.B.P.D. Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch, Teryl Hubert or Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
The Long Beach Police Department wishes to thank the community for their patience, support, and assistance over the last three months. L.B.P.D. would also like to thank the Mayor and City Council, as well as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, for approving the $40,000 reward. Additionally, appreciation is extended to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department laboratory personnel and the Los Angeles Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
