STUDIO CITY—On Friday, February 18, a reward was offered for a cold case. “Reward Introduced in 2002 #StudioCity Murder Case,” tweeted City Councilman Paul Krekorian. Councilman Krekorian, who represents the district where the crime occurred, introduced the motion for the $75,000 reward that was approved.
The reward is being offered for information to help solve a double murder nearly nine years after two bullet-riddled bodies were found in a burning Mercedes-Benz SUV in the 11600 block of Woodbridge Street on September 2, 2002, at around 1:40 a.m.
Investigators believe 35-year-old Michael Tardio, a former model and nightclub doorman, and Christopher Monson, a 31-year-old aspiring actor and self-storage business owner, were killed while attempting to sell jewelry belonging to Tardio’s girlfriend. At the time of his death, Tardio was dating Sandy Bentley. She and her twin sister had been on the cover of Playboy Magazine. Reportedly, Bentley had asked Tardio to sell up to $700,000 worth of jewelry that had been gifts from an ex-boyfriend, Wall Street trader Mark Yagalla who was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme.
“For nearly a decade, the Los Angeles Police Department have pursued this case and they haven’t given up. But now, they need your help,” said Krekorian in a prepared statement.
Police urge anyone with information to call 877-LAPD-24-7 or 877-527-3247.
