Reward Planned for Information in Lewis Stabbing

Friends and family of Mary Irene Lewis, the 16-year-old who was stabbed to death Tuesday in Garden Grove, plan to offer a reward of more than $25,000 to anyone with information about the killing.

Members of the Lewis family of Huntington Beach said they’ve collected at least $25,000 in donations from neighbors and strangers to help solve the crime, which has left police with few clues.

“Hopefully, someone will come forward when they hear out about the reward,” said Thomas Lewis, 23, the victim’s brother.

Lewis’ friends also plan a carwash at gas station near Garfield Avenue and Magnolia Street todayto help raise money for the reward. Mary Irene Lewis, who recently finished her sophomore year at Huntington Beach High School, was found stabbed 16 times at Acacia Avenue and Brookhurst Way early Tuesday. She died at the hospital about an hour later.

Police confirmed Friday that two months ago she had filed a police report against an 18-year-old who she said had tried to sexually assault her. Garden Grove Sgt. Doug Morrill said Lewis was on a date with the man one April evening when the incident reportedly occurred in the man’s room.

“He got forceful, she fought him off and escaped by hopping out of his window,” Morrill said.

She eventually decided not to press charges, Morrill said.

Police emphasized that the man is not their lead suspect. He is one of about 20 of Lewis’ friends whom they need to question.

“We’re contacting all her friends to find out what happened that night,” Morrill said. “He apparently hasn’t been around and was not there that night.”

Police have been able to draw only a sketchy account of Lewis’ whereabouts on the day before she was killed.

“We still don’t know what she did during her last hours,” said Thomas Lewis.

Police are looking for her car. It is a 1987 white Nissan Sentra with license plate 2EGD875.