The parents of an 18-year-old UC Santa Barbara freshman are asking the public for help after their daughter was violently raped and strangled at the Tropicana Gardens student housing complex in Isla Vista. The attacker remains at large.
- The assault occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
- The victim reported the attack to UC Police about an hour later. - The family has requested the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department take over the investigation due to limited UCSB police resources.
- Attorney Tyrone Maho and investigator Michael Claytor, who previously worked on the Liz Hamel balcony death case, are representing the family. The family urges anyone with information about the incident or a Sigma Pi fraternity party held before the attack to come forward.