SAN RAFAEL — Ashley Yamauchi, 33, died on Dec. 16, 2008 in a parking lot on the 700 block of Fourth Street in downtown San Rafael, Marin County. Her killer has yet to be found.
The fifth anniversary of the murder was marked by her family and friends on Monday night in front of the Fourth Street Tavern, where she was last seen. KTVU reports that the bar is now closed and will reopen under a new name.
Police said Yamauchi was sexually assaulted and strangled. Despite a $50,000 reward offered for information on the case, no suspect has been identified.
Organizers of the memorial continue to believe that someone saw Yamauchi leave the bar with her assailant but has yet to come forward.
Yamauchi, who last worked as a nanny, is survived by her daughter, now 13, as well as her mother, Dolly, and brother, Heath Yamaguchi.
“This year we wanted to do something a little more to remind everyone that even though it’s been five years since Ashley was taken from us, the case is still open,” said cousin Ana Castrillo. “We passed out flowers with business cards with the reward information, email and tip line. There was a table set up with candles, an enlarged photo and an iPad playing photos of her. Before we left, we set up everything in the parking lot where she was found.”
Family and friends established a Facebook page, “R.I.P. Ashley Yamauchi,” where people continue to post remembrances and photos.
Tips can be given by phone at (415) 453-2399 or by email at FindAshleysKiller@srpd.org.