Mother & Daughter Killed at Their Lakewood Home — Details

A deadly shooting in a Lakewood neighborhood left three family members dead, a daughter narrowly escaping, and investigators searching for answers behind the violence.

A quiet morning in a Lakewood neighborhood turned into a scene of horror on January 15 when a man opened fire inside his home, killing his wife and teenage daughter before taking his own life. His 19-year-old daughter survived by inches after he shot at her and missed.

Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department rushed to the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue around 8 a.m. after receiving a chilling 911 call. The young woman on the line reported that her father had just fired at her and was lying near her, unconscious.

When deputies arrived, they found her outside the home, physically unharmed. Inside, they uncovered a devastating tableau.

All Three Victims Pronounced Dead at the Scene

In the den, officers found 52-year-old Hector Lionel Alfaro with a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Nearby, 48-year-old Roxana Alfaro lay dead in a bedroom. In another room, their 17-year-old daughter, Lilly, was also found fatally shot.

The sheriff’s department later confirmed Alfaro shot at his 19-year-old daughter before turning the gun on himself. Two firearms were recovered from the scene. Investigators have not yet determined a motive.

Daughter Breaks Her Silence

The day after the killings, Desiree Alvarez, the eldest of the family's three daughters, posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook.

"It is with great sadness & an extremely heavy heart that we share the unexpected passing of our mom, Roxana & our youngest sister, Lilly," she shared. "As we try to wrap our heads around this ourselves, we appreciate everyone who has reached out & sent their condolences."

She added, "If you know my sister and/or I, you knew how close we were to our mom and sister... I love you mom & Lilly. We will miss you eternally."

In a later statement to CBS Los Angeles, Desiree remembered her mother and sister with devastating clarity.

"My mom Roxana was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. To know her was to love her. She was the most incredible woman I know," she stated. "I'm at a loss for words on how much she meant to me. She was my entire world, her and my sisters."

Of her younger sister, she said, "We were 10 years apart, but she was my best friend. She had the sweetest, kindest and most nurturing soul. My heart hurts to even accept what is now our reality. But I share some comfort in knowing that they are together and not alone."

GoFundMe Surpasses $91K After Unthinkable Loss

As the community reeled, Desiree's husband, Andrew, created a GoFundMe campaign to help the surviving daughters with funeral costs, trauma counseling, and basic living expenses.

"My wife asked me to create this gofundme so she can focus on mourning the loss of her mother and sister," he wrote. "Our hearts are broken as we share the tragic loss of a loving mother and her daughter, whose lives were taken by an act of unimaginable violence."

By January 19, donations had climbed past $91,000, bringing the fundraiser close to its $120,000 goal.

Investigators Continue to Search for a Motive

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed that the case remains open and under investigation. No motive has yet been identified in what investigators described as a sudden and violent domestic attack.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.