A UCLA student was fatally stabbed by a random maniac while working as a consultant at an advanced furniture store in Los Angeles, police said.
Brianna Kupfer, 24, was alone and working at Croft House on North La Brea Avenue around 1:50 p.m. on Jan. 13 when a stranger came in and stabbed her to death, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The unknown male suspect, who is believed to be homeless, then fled through the back door and walked calmly down an alley, police said.
Copper from Pacific Palisades was discovered dead on the floor by a customer about 20 minutes later.
The victim studied architectural design and worked in the furniture store as a design consultant.
Her desperate father, Todd Kupfer, said Brianna had been set to fly to New York late Thursday night to celebrate a friend’s birthday – but was killed just hours before her flight.
He described local politicians as too lenient and said crime had become widespread. Over the weekend, LA officials announced a nearly 12 percent jump in homicides in 2021 from the year before.
“I think our city leaders need to make smarter decisions about what to do with criminals and how to imprison them,” he told The Post on Monday. “I understand there is a lot of racial injustice. But that does not change the fact that someone who does evil should not just get hit on the wrist. Unfortunately, that is what we are seeing now.”
Riley Rea, a co-owner of the Croft House furniture store, said Kupfer had worked there for just over a year.
“I’m completely crushed on behalf of her and her family,” Rea told The Los Angeles Times. ‘It just seems so disgusting and unexpected. There is really no word to say how shocked we are to lose such a wonderful person. “
Dr. Jennifer Botelho, the owner of a nearby chiropractic office, said the suspect entered her business shortly before the fatal stabbing.
“He came in and asked a few questions: ‘Are you doing orthopedics here?’ What kind of care do we provide, and so he went. So he was only here for a few minutes, “Botelho told CBSLA.
“It’s scary. It’s awful,” Botelho added of the day-to-day homicides. “She’s such a young girl. We’re having a terrible time with Brianna’s family, and we hope we can catch this guy. “
No motive has yet been given for the horrific attack, and police are still searching for the suspect Monday night.
He was last seen on surveillance footage walking north in the alley behind the crime scene, wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans and dark shoes.
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