LASD: Witness Arrested For Cyber-Stalking Rape Threat That Led To Murder For Hire Plot
MONTEREY PARK (CBSLA.com) — In a new twist in a murder for hire case involving two competing estheticians, sheriff's investigators announced Thursday they have arrested a man who had portrayed himself as a witness.
Fifty-five-year-old Dawn DaLuise, the owner of Skin Refinery in West Hollywood, allegedly tried hiring a hitman to get rid of a competitor she believed was cyber-stalking her.
Investigators say DaLuise believed rival esthetician Gabriel Suarez, the owner of Smooth Cheeks, was placing Craigslist ads with her photo requesting males to act out a "rape fantasy."
But L.A. Sheriff's Cyber Crimes detectives say she was blaming the wrong guy, and arrested 28-year old suspect Edward Feinstein on Wednesday.
"We belive that he helped to convince her that the person who was actually responsible for what he had done was her business competitor and as a result she sought to hire someone to kill that business competitor - the wrong person," Capt. Mike Parker told KCAL9's Juan Fernandez.
"Certainly in a case where someone is soliciting for other people to rape someone we would consider that extremely serious - anyone would. And how disturbing that is to even have that suggested," Parker said.
Feinstein allegedly created and began distributing paper flyers that were sexually explicit and included a photo of DaLuise's face. The online ads he's accused of posting included her home address, phone number and a photo.
Blaming Suarez, DaLuise allegedly searched for someone to hire and kill him. Suarez denied any involvement.
"I don't know her, so I can't really say anything," he said.
Evidence eventually led investigators to believe Feinstein was actually responsible for soliciting DaLuise to be raped and for utilizing media and photographs to make DaLuise believe that her adult daughters were in danger.
A search warrant was served at Feinstein's West Hollywood apartment on Monday, but investigators discovered he had moved to Studio City four days prior.
Another search warrant was served at Feinstein's new home on Wednesday. He was arrested on stalking and booked at the West Hollywood station with bail set at $150,000.
Feinstein bonded out of jail and is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
The investigation is ongoing concerning people allegedly contacted by DaLuise to carry out the murder for hire.
Investigators said at press time there was no evidence that anyone acted to carry out the murder.
An additional male is under investigation as a possible additional suspect in the cyber stalking of DaLuise, who was arrested on March 5 and remains in custody with bail set at $1 million.
"She is culpable for soliciting someone to kill the victim. She believed it would be carried out," Capt. Shaun Mathers, of the Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau, said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau at (661) 287-4096.
Those who prefer to provide information anonymously may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to crimes (274637) or by using the website.
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