Reward increases for information on 6 people killed in 'cartel-style execution'

VISALIA, Calif. (KMPH) — Police on Monday said the reward for finding the killers in a massacre that took place earlier this month in California has been increased to $20,100.

Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux held a news conference on Monday to discuss the case.

The reward includes $10,000 from ATF, $5,000 from Crime Stoppers and $5,000 from a man in New York who wishes to remain anonymous.Another $100 was donated by a woman from Maine. She sent a heartfelt letter saying that her heart was broken by the tragedy.

Boudreaux said he expects another $10,000 to be added later this week.

According to police, the six family members were killed in a cartel-style execution on Jan. 16. Two of the victims were minors, a 16-year-old mother and a 10-month-old baby.

If the reward leads to a capture and conviction, Boudreaux said he will personally ask Gov. Newsom to lift the ban on the death penalty, especially in cases involving children.

Boudreaux said it's not known at this time if it was a cartel but that there are two operating throughout the state: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and theSinaloa Cartel.

Many of the cartels work closely with local gang members. Investigators suspect the killings are gang-related and may have ties to cartels.

Going in and massacring an entire family goes above and beyond," said Boudreaux. "That's why I continue to focus back on a high-level gang-style execution and or cartel execution because this is not normal."

The sheriff expects to hold another news conference later in the week.