The family of 15-year-old Mina Kurdian is sharing new details about the events leading up to the tragedy that took her life in Arcadia, California. Their account has raised further questions about her relationship with Paul Anthony Cruz Jr., 20, who authorities identify as the suspect in the case.
According to relatives who spoke with the California Post, Mina had been in an on-and-off relationship with Cruz for about a year. Her family said they believed he was much younger than his actual age and did not fully understand the nature of the relationship.
Mina’s grandfather, Nick Eftekhari, told the publication that the teenager had ended the relationship several weeks before the incident. Cruz reportedly wanted to reconcile, but the two were unable to work things out.
A Disturbing Encounter Earlier That Morning
Family members told the California Post that Cruz arrived at Mina’s home around 5 a.m. on October 22, allegedly intoxicated and behaving aggressively. According to their account, an argument followed, and Mina asked him to leave.
Relatives said Mina later sent messages describing the encounter. After Cruz left, she reportedly made plans to visit a family member.
One of her final messages to a relative, sent at approximately 8:53 a.m., said she was going to shower and get ready.
Authorities say Cruz returned to the residence around 11 a.m. and forced his way inside. Police responded to the apartment complex on West Huntington Drive, where they found Mina with fatal injuries.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
These details about the earlier confrontation come from family accounts reported by the California Post. Investigators have not publicly confirmed every part of the family’s timeline.
What Happened After The Incident?
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Cruz left the residence before officers arrived. Authorities later located him in a parking lot in Pasadena, where he sustained a self-inflicted injury as officers were preparing to contact him.
He was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Reports published on October 23 said he remained hospitalized, and no newer confirmed update on his condition was available in the reporting reviewed for this article.
The investigation involves authorities in both Arcadia and Pasadena, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau handling the case.
Officials have not announced a definitive motive, and the allegations against Cruz have not been resolved through court proceedings.
Remembering Mina Beyond The Headlines
While investigators work to establish the full circumstances, Mina’s family wants people to remember the teenager for the life she was building.
Relatives described her as funny, happy and adventurous. She enjoyed spending time with her family and visiting theme parks, and she hoped to become a cosmetologist.
Her family has also spoken about how young she was and how much future she still had ahead of her.
The Arcadia Unified School District confirmed that Mina was a former student but was not enrolled in the district at the time of the incident.
For her loved ones, the loss has brought grief alongside difficult questions about the relationship and the events leading up to October 22.
A 15-year-old girl who was shot and killed inside an Arcadia apartment Thursday by a man she was dating has been identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office as Mina Kurdian.
Authorities said the teen was shot by 20-year-old Paul Anthony Cruz Jr. after he forced entry into the residence just after 11 a.m. Thursday. Kurdian died from her injuries.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584148465109
The Investigation Continues
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mina’s passing, including the reported forced entry and the events that followed.
The family’s account has added context to the timeline, particularly regarding the earlier confrontation and their understanding of Mina’s relationship with Cruz. However, those statements must be distinguished from details independently confirmed by law enforcement.
As the investigation continues, relatives hope the case will establish a clearer picture of what happened and allow Mina to be remembered for more than the circumstances of her final day.
At just 15, she had dreams, interests and a future she was beginning to imagine. Her family’s memories of her life remain central as the community waits for further answers.