August 19, 2026: Two Courageous Women Honored for Helping Secure Convictions in Murder, Violent Stalking Cases

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman presented Courage Awards to Mia Overstreet and Melissa Par at today's ceremony

WESTCHESTER, Calif. - Mia Overstreet was 15 years old when she ran out into the street to save a stranger from being strangled to death by a stalker in Torrance; Melissa Par helped capture a man who randomly murdered a 17-year-old boy from Mexico visiting his family in Los Angeles. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman presented these brave women with Courage Awards today at a ceremony in Westchester.

"It is an honor to recognize Mia Overstreet and Melissa Par's courage and commitment to justice for victims they had never met, at great personal risk," said District Attorney Hochman. "These cases show the critical role of witnesses and their testimony in our criminal justice system. Today, the prosecutors on the cases had the opportunity to express their gratitude and share these women's extraordinary stories of quick thinking and determination to do what's right."

Mia Overstreet, 18 (Case 26TRCF00064, presented by Deputy District Attorney Kevin Yermian of the Torrance Branch Office)

Mia Overstreet was 15 years old when she was woken up in the middle of the night in August 2024 by her dog barking and a woman screaming on the street. She looked out her window and did not hesitate to run outside.

The victim was being dropped off at her home in Torrance after going to the movies with a friend when Luis Jacobo appeared. Jacobo had been stalking and harassing her, calling her hundreds of times a day, appearing uninvited at her home and workplace and leaving unwanted notes and flowers.

That night, Jacobo lay in wait. He forced his way into her friend's car, snatched her phone, dragged her from the car and began violently strangling her. Just as the victim was losing consciousness, Overstreet ran directly toward Jacobo and demanded he get off her. Jacobo stopped strangling the victim and approached Overstreet before fleeing to his car.

Overstreet's extraordinary courage, quick thinking, and selfless intervention saved the victim's life.

Nearly two years later, Overstreet came to court and testified about exactly what she had seen. Her testimony helped ensure that the truth of what happened to the victim came out at trial. Jacobo was convicted by a jury of stalking and related crimes in May 2026 and sentenced in June to 22 years and eight months in state prison.

Melissa Par, 32 (Case BA506425, presented by Deputy District Attorneys Daniel Rochmes and Carmelia Mejia of the Gang Homicide Division)

On the afternoon of June 18, 2022, 17-year-old Angel David Flores Trevino and his mother, aunt, and cousin drove to shop for school clothes. The family was driving through Baldwin Hills when a stranger, Prince David Matt, pulled up next to them and shot multiple times into their car. Trevino sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and died in his mother's arms. Trevino's cousin was severely wounded but survived.

Matt fled the scene, speeding down city streets. Melissa Par lived two miles away. Around 25 minutes after the shooting, she was in front of her house unloading her car when Matt parked his SUV and asked to use her phone. After realizing from a safety app notification that he was the suspect in a nearby shooting, Par saw he had a flat tire. She walked toward the vehicle to verify the license plate, sought help at a local fire station and contacted 911.

Despite fearing for her safety, she handed over her home surveillance footage, cooperated with law enforcement, identified the suspect, and testified at the preliminary hearing and again at trial. A jury convicted Matt in 2024 of murder, attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and other charges and allegations. In 2025, he was sentenced to life in state prison.

Par's bravery and willingness to come forward played an essential role in holding Matt accountable.

About the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Courage Awards

The Courage Awards, formerly known as the Courageous Citizen Awards, were launched in 1986 and are given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery and selflessness - whether by assisting in criminal prosecutions, helping victims, testifying under pressure, preventing crimes or helping to apprehend suspects.

Today's Courage Awards ceremony was hosted by the Rotary Club of Westchester at the Westchester YMCA.