The sentencing finally brings closure to Wertlieb’s family over three decades after her tragic death. Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter condemned the “absolutely atrocious crime,” noting that Arredondo Donis showed no remorse when initially interviewed by police.

The Horrific 1989 Murder

According to Patch, on September 17, 1989, 39-year-old Monica Wertlieb’s body was discovered in a vacant lot west of the Harbor 110 Freeway in LA’s Westlake district. Deputy District Attorney Alexander Lara stated that evidence showed Wertlieb was knocked unconscious on the sidewalk before being dragged 190 feet to a hidden, elevated area where she was raped and had her throat slit with a broken bottle.

Despite the heinous nature of the crime, the case went cold for nearly 30 years. It wasn’t until 2017 that a breakthrough occurred – DNA evidence collected from Wertlieb’s body matched that of Arredondo Donis, finally cracking the decades-old case wide open.

A Daughter’s Heartbreaking Words

At the sentencing, Wertlieb’s daughter Katie Hepburn delivered an emotional statement about the devastating impact of her mother’s murder. Having been put up for adoption as a baby in 1981, Hepburn lamented: “Because of Orlando Arredondo Donis, I’ll never be able to meet my mother. I’ll never hear her voice. I’ll never get to look into her eyes.”

Hepburn portrayed her mother as “an innocent woman” and “easy target for a cowardly criminal.” She expressed outrage that Arredondo Donis went on to live freely “with no care or consideration of what he did to my mother or to our family.” Hepburn insisted the convicted killer “should never be allowed the hope of being set free.”

A Gentle Soul Attacked

Wertlieb’s cousin, Mike Gale, also spoke at the hearing, describing the victim as “a gentle soul” who would have been “no match” for her attacker. “He’s finally able to suffer the consequences of his actions,” Gale stated about Arredondo Donis.

The Evidence Was Overwhelming

In his closing arguments, prosecutor Lara outlined the overwhelming DNA evidence tying Arredondo Donis to the rape and murder, stating “Everything is a match to the defendant.” The defense attempted to create reasonable doubt by suggesting Arredondo Donis may have had consensual sex with Wertlieb a day or two before her death. However, Lara pointed out that not only did Arredondo Donis deny ever having sex with the victim when questioned, but “there was no DNA of anybody else” found on Wertlieb’s body.

A Decades-Long Search for Justice

Arredondo Donis was finally arrested in October 2017 by the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division after advanced forensic technology allowed a DNA match to be made to the decades-old crime scene evidence. He had been walking free for 28 years before finally being brought to justice.

While nothing can undo the immense tragedy of Monica Wertlieb’s murder, her family can now have some sense of resolution. After an over 30-year wait, the “atrocious” act has been accounted for and a dangerous killer is permanently off the streets. This case exemplifies why law enforcement should continuously re-examine cold cases whenever new technologies become available – to ensure justice is eventually served, no matter how much time has passed. I sincerely hope you find this “LA Cold-Case Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison-What Happened In 1989?” article helpful.

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