CA CA - Tsunao, 46, & Loullie Saitoh, 13, San Diego, 8 May 1996

[PrivateInspector007]

I thought for sure that his estranged wealthy wife put a hit on him, but after thinking about it and reading more about the story, it doesn't make sense for her to put a hit on the daughter too unless there was a mistake (which if 'professionally done' doesn't seem likely it was a mistake, as the daughter was running away and was shot several times) or life insurance on her? Then the wife filed two libel lawsuits, which if she was guilty that seems like an odd thing to do, unless she is a complete psychopath.

I think they should interview people he was working with again. What projects was he working on? What was his relationship with his co-workers? Was this a case of scorned lover? Racially profiled? How was the daughter in school, relationships etc?


About lawsuit Link: Mysterious slaying of Tsunao Saito and daughter in La Jolla
Case Link: Cold Cases 1996 - 2000 | Police | City of San Diego Official Website
2nd lawsuit Link: Tsunao Saito files libel charges in La Jolla death of her husband

 

[PrivateInspector007]

I thought for sure that his estranged wealthy wife put a hit on him, but after thinking about it and reading more about the story, it doesn't make sense for her to put a hit on the daughter too unless there was a mistake (which if 'professionally done' doesn't seem likely it was a mistake, as the daughter was running away and was shot several times) or life insurance on her? Then the wife filed two libel lawsuits, which if she was guilty that seems like an odd thing to do, unless she is a complete psychopath.

I think they should interview people he was working with again. What projects was he working on? What was his relationship with his co-workers? Was this a case of scorned lover? Racially profiled? How was the daughter in school, relationships etc?


About lawsuit Link: Mysterious slaying of Tsunao Saito and daughter in La Jolla
Case Link: Cold Cases 1996 - 2000 | Police | City of San Diego Official Website
2nd lawsuit Link: Tsunao Saito files libel charges in La Jolla death of her husband

 

[dotr]

Video at link.

By: Ciara Encinas Feb 10, 2023 rbbm.

Mystery remains behind the murder of UC San Diego researcher on the brink of a breakthrough

Dr. Saitoh and his team were working to learn more about the brain. His co-worker Phyllis Lessin said he was on track to make a major breakthrough to help Alzheimer’s patients.

www.10news.com

''SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — It was a warm May evening in 1996.

Dr. Tsunao Saitoh was driving his thirteen-year-old daughter, Loulie, to their secluded neighborhood around eleven o’clock at night. When they pulled into their driveway, they were shot and killed.

"We were all just so devasted," said Phyllis Lessin.

It was a bizarre tragedy that devastated an entire team of scientists.

Dr. Saitoh and his team were working to learn more about the brain. His co-worker Phyllis Lessin said he was on track to make a major breakthrough to help Alzheimer’s patients.''


''The gun used was a Grendel P-12. A gun that was only made 1991 to 1994. It's a gun that Johnson says is rare.

"They actually took a team out of rotation and tried to get test fires on every single Grendel in San Diego County, which was a huge, huge undertaking," said Johnson.

"We have a partial DNA profile from some of the shell casings that were fired. Technology has improved to such an extent that we can get DNA from fired shell casings," said Johnson.

Johnson said it’s enough to make a match if they can find a potential suspect.''

 

[dotr]

rbbm

Tsunao and Loullie Saitoh | City of San Diego Official Website

Dr. Tsunao Saitoh was an accomplished and well-respected research neuroscientist at UCSD. On May 8, 1996 at about 11:00 p.m., Dr. Saitoh and his 13-year-old daughter, Loullie, returned home from the research lab on campus. As their car pulled up to the front of their home, an unknown suspect or...

www.sandiego.gov

''Cold Case: Tsunao and Loullie Saitoh​

Homicide​

If you have a tip, call the SDPD Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293. For anonymous tips, call Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477 or submit your tip online.

CASE DATE:
May 8, 1996
LOCATION:
7000 Fairway Road

SYNOPSIS:
Dr. Tsunao Saitoh was an accomplished and well-respected research neuroscientist at UCSD. On May 8, 1996 at about 11:00 p.m., Dr. Saitoh and his 13-year-old daughter, Loullie, returned home from the research lab on campus. As their car pulled up to the front of their home, an unknown suspect or suspects ambushed Dr. Saitoh and his daughter in the driveway, shooting and killing them both. Neighbors heard the gunshots and passers-by found the bodies a short time afterward. Dr. Saitoh was slumped over in the car and Loullie had run a short distance before being gunned down.
Numerous .380 caliber casings were found in the driveway and street where the gunshots were fired. Based on a ballistics analysis of these casings, the murder weapon was identified as a Grendel P-12 .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a gun manufactured in limited quantities.
The Grendel P-12 semi-automatic pistol (pictured) is the same make and model of gun as the one used to murder Dr. Saitoh and his daughter. The murder weapon itself was not located. Investigators are interested in following up on any leads related to this case.
An exhaustive investigation was conducted in this case, and the motive for the double murder remains a mystery. Dr. Saitoh had no known enemies, and neither he nor his daughter was involved in any high-risk activities.
CASE PHOTOS:

• 
  Grendel P-12 semi-automatic pistol