LAKEPORT — Nine years ago, gunshots rang out in the early morning hours in downtown Lakeport, ending a woman”s life. Nine years later, the events surrounding the woman”s death are still a mystery.
Barbara LaForge, 43, was shot four times by an unknown person wielding a small-caliber gun on the morning of Oct. 8, 2002 soon after she entered the back of her framing shop at 165 N. Main St. LaForge”s body was discovered hours later.
An investigation into the murder has been ongoing since that day. The case is Lakeport”s only unsolved homicide in the city”s 123-year history.
“The case is still open and we are moving forward with it,” Detective Lou Riccardi, lead investigator on the case for the Lakeport Police Department (LPD), said.
In late December, LPD announced that a 55-year-old Kelseyville woman is a “person of interest” in the LaForge investigation. At a February town hall meeting focusing on the case and other unsolved murder investigations, Riccardi said Linda Ann Mafrice, who was sentenced on Dec. 3 to four years and eight months in state prison for violating probation, remains a “person of interest.”
At the meeting, Riccardi said LPD investigators believe LaForge”s murder is solvable and are still actively seeking public information.
Riccardi said investigators have analyzed more than 200 existing evidence items, listened to 120 pre-recorded interviews and conducted more than 50 follow-up interviews.
There is also a standing $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for LaForge”s death.
Anyone with relevant information can reach Riccardi or investigative partner Detective Destry Henderson by email at laforgehomicide@lakeportpolice.org or by calling 263-5491.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
