Jason Cortez, 29, left his new bride behind in Virginia to journey to Los Angeles, where he lent his photography skills to a friend's creative project.

On September 10th, 2021, during a hike with his friend at Ernest E Debs Regional Park, tragedy struck. A sudden shot pierced the air, and Jason collapsed. Despite desperate attempts at CPR by his companion, Jason succumbed to the senseless violence.

This heinous act demands justice for its cold and random nature. Though the investigation is challenged by sparse clues and a lack of apparent motive, a sketch of the assailant offers a glimmer of hope for resolution.

Listen as we dive into Los Angeles, the case of Jason Cortez, and how to stay alive on vacation.

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Listen to this week's podcast recommendation, Love and Murder: From Heartbreak to Homicide

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Theme Music by Roger Allen Dexter

Sources:

https://www.celebratingjasoncortez.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTG7c_01QoE

https://homicide.latimes.com/post/jason-j-cortez-nativi/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-jason-cortez

https://youtu.be/9pbM7aqo8bs

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/reward-offered-in-shooting-death-of-man-in-ernest-e-debs-regional-park/2779984/

https://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/central-bureau-homicide-detectives-seek-the-publics-assistance-in-identifying-murder-suspects-na21079ll/

https://mynewsla.com/life/2021/12/17/reward-announced-for-help-solving-homicide-in-ernest-e-debs-regional-park/

https://www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhoods/montecito_heights/family-and-police-plea-for-help-in-murder-of-debs-park-hiker/article_359671b4-5f84-11ec-b824-6f9f32351b05.html

https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/jason-cortezs-family-promotes-reward-for-sniper-shooting-info

https://people.com/crime/family-seeks-justice-after-photographer-hiking-in-los-angeles-park-killed-in-random-shooting/

https://petapixel.com/2021/12/27/photographer-killed-by-sniper-while-hiking-in-los-angeles-park/?fbclid=IwAR0gtyM2hmSQ7HXxkp0QyuaCjDxlTCcirM7V0x9ikyDxbNk8v65dA0Lxo08

https://www.diyphotography.net/photographer-shot-to-death-from-ambush-while-hiking-in-los-angeles-park/

https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-trends-in-california/

https://data-openjustice.doj.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/Crime%20In%20CA%202021_0.pdf

https://www.theeastsiderla.com/parks_recreation/debs-park-fans-say-rangers-could-help-respond-to-parks-problems-from-homeless-camps-to/article_141218b6-6565-11e9-b09d-237e615ce524.html

https://gitnux.org/los-angeles-tourism-statistics/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20annual%20number,visit%20Los%20Angeles%20each%20year.