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# Charges delayed in Maran murder case
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/charges-delayed-in-maran-murder-case/
- Published: 2002-02-28T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:04:22.000Z
- Author: Carolyn Sackariason
- Tags: Crime, Ocean Park, #archive-import

*Prosecutors want to speak with victim’s parents before filing charges*

It could be another month before charges are filed in connection with 15-year-old Deanna Maran’s murder, which occurred more than three months ago.

Deputy District Attorney Alex Karkanen said Wednesday that prosecutors will sit on the case until they speak with Maran’s parents, Harriet and Ilja, who live in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood.

Charges may be filed against a 15-year-old Brentwood girl who allegedly held Maran down while her half-sister, 17-year-old Katrina Sarkissian, attacked and stabbed her. Sarkissian died of an overdose while in police custody the day after the murder, a recent autopsy has shown.

“We want (the victim’s family) to feel they have some input,” he said. “We want them to be part of the process.”

> “We want (the victim’s family) to feel they have some input. We want them to be part of the process.” — — ALEX KARKANEN Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney

But the Marans haven’t been part of the process since their daughter, known affectionately as “Lala” was murdered Nov. 17.

Since the investigation began, the Marans have had minimal interaction with authorities handling the case. They are frustrated about what they perceive as a lack of effort by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to keep them abreast of developments in the case.

And now the parents of the popular and high achieving Santa Monica high school student are even more frustrated to learn that the case has been put on hold.

They wonder why they haven’t been contacted by prosecutors or the families of the teenagers suspected of having a role in their daughter’s murder.

The grieving parents want to move forward and find justice for Maran’s death, while sending the message of non-violence.

“I would really like to know who I am dealing with,” Harriet Maran said. “I need to make sure Lala didn’t die for nothing.”

Maran was stabbed with a knife after she found a 15-year-old girl breaking potted plants behind an upscale Westwood home where the party was held. Maran told her to stop, but the girl began fighting with her.

Partygoers tried to break up the confrontation but the fight continued after Sarkissian and her friends showed up at the party. According to witnesses, Maran was allegedly jumped by Sarkissian, the 15-year-old and a Santa Monica high school senior.

They allegedly pinned Maran down to the ground, beat her and stabbed her with a knife. Sarkissian is believed to have been the one who stabbed Maran.

Maran’s friends drove her to Santa Monica Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12:15 a.m. on Nov. 18\. Sarkissian and the 15-year-old were arrested about 14 hours later. But after collapsing while being questioned by police, Sarkissian was rushed to UCLA Medical Center and died at 5:26 p.m., police said.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office ruled earli-er this month that Sarkissian committed suicide. According to the toxicology report, Sarkissian died from nortriptyline intoxication. The drug also is known as “Pamelor,” a narcotic widely used to treat depression.

Families of the accused could not be reached for comment.

Harriet Maran told the Daily Press last month that she was frustrated and disappointed that she hasn’t been contacted by either the family of the girls who allegedly attacked and murdered her daughter or the owners of the house where the killing occurred.

“They have not once talked to us,” Harriet Maran said. “To me, these people are beyond hope.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 28, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/022802.pdf?ref=smdp.com)