California Governor Gavin Newsom has renewed $50,000 rewards for information in more than two dozen cold cases across the state. This includes six important unsolved cases from the Bay Area. The goal is to encourage people with information to come forward and help bring justice to victims and their families.
Purpose of the Reward Program
Governor Newsom said that every victim and every family deserves answers. He believes that offering financial rewards can motivate people to share important information that may help solve long-unsolved crimes.
He also emphasized that solving cold cases is important for accountability and justice across California.
Bay Area Cold Cases Included in the Reward List
Several serious cold cases from the Bay Area have been included in this renewed reward program. These cases involve murders and violent crimes that remain unsolved for many years.
Georgia Moses Case (Petaluma, 1997)
Georgia Moses, a 12-year-old girl, disappeared in 1997 in Sonoma County. Later, her body was found near a highway ramp in Petaluma.
An autopsy revealed she died due to smothering or strangulation. Authorities are still searching for the person responsible.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office at 707-565-2727.
Emerson Zuniga Case (Fremont, 2007)
Emerson Zuniga, 20, was attacked while walking on a street in Fremont in 2007. He was hit on the head with a metal object.
He later died in the hospital about a month after the attack.
Fremont Police have asked witnesses or anyone with information to contact Detective Jacob Blass at jblass@fremont.gov or 510-790-6900.
Antonio Nunez Case (Oakland, 2008)
Antonio Nunez, a 16-year-old boy, was shot outside his home in Oakland in 2008. Two gunmen attacked him and two relatives.
Antonio died at the scene, while the other victims survived after being taken to the hospital.
Oakland Police are asking for tips at 510-238-3821.
Lamar Murphy Case (Hayward, 2017)
Lamar Murphy, 16, was shot while riding his bicycle near his home in Hayward in 2017.
A shooter fired from a passing vehicle, killing him instantly.
Authorities are asking for any information at 510-667-3636.
Shawn Tillis Case (San Pablo, 2020)
Shawn Tillis, 27, was shot multiple times in a parking lot in San Pablo in 2020. Surveillance video showed two attackers firing more than 30 rounds before escaping.
San Pablo Police have requested tips at 510-215-3295 or 510-215-3261.
Hillsborough Police Officer Shooting (2025)
In 2025, a Hillsborough police officer was shot at the police station parking area after a suspect entered a restricted zone.
The shooter escaped after firing at the officer. Police have released a sketch of a suspect and continue to investigate.
Information can be shared with Hillsborough Police at 650-375-7470.
Statewide Reward Expansion
Along with the Bay Area cases, Governor Newsom has also extended $50,000 rewards for 21 additional cold cases across California.
State law allows law enforcement agencies to request reward funds from the governor when investigations have no remaining leads.
Previous Success of the Reward Program
The governor’s office also highlighted past success stories. In one case, a $50,000 reward helped lead to an arrest and conviction in a decades-old murder case in Vacaville.
This shows that financial rewards can sometimes help solve even very old criminal cases when new information is shared.
Why Cold Cases Matter
Cold cases are crimes that remain unsolved for many years. These cases often depend on new witnesses or previously hidden information to move forward.
Officials believe that public cooperation is key to solving such cases and bringing justice to families who have waited for decades.
Conclusion
Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to renew $50,000 rewards shows a strong push to solve long-unsolved crimes in California. By encouraging people to share information, authorities hope to bring justice to victims and closure to their families.
The program highlights that even after many years, new tips can still make a difference in solving cold cases across the Bay Area and beyond.
