A Panorama City family is watching a criminal case move forward in Los Angeles County Superior Court after their 78-year-old father died in what authorities describe as a robbery-related incident more than eight months ago.
The family of Nilo Ortiz, a 78-year-old Panorama City man who died after an alleged robbery scam at Seafood City, is seeking justice as his widow testifies in Los Angeles County Superior Court. His daughter, Rhiza Pascua, is calling for greater senior safety awareness.
A Panorama City family is watching a criminal case move forward in Los Angeles County Superior Court after their 78-year-old father died in what authorities describe as a robbery-related incident more than eight months ago.
Nilo Ortiz went out for a routine grocery errand. He never came home.
According to witness testimony and evidence presented in court, Ortiz and his wife were leaving the parking lot of Seafood City in Panorama City when they were approached by individuals believed to be carrying out a distraction theft scam known in Filipino communities as "budol-budol."
Court records indicate that one of the suspects allegedly tried to place jewelry on Ortiz's wrist while attempting to gain access to his valuables and cash. Ortiz's wife intervened and grabbed the watch the suspects were allegedly targeting.
The situation escalated quickly. As Ortiz remained near the suspects' vehicle, the driver allegedly began to pull away. The vehicle reportedly turned suddenly, causing Ortiz to fall onto the pavement.
Emergency responders arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital. Ortiz initially survived but suffered serious head injuries and internal bleeding. He later died from those injuries, according to court records.
Ortiz's widow recently took the witness stand to recount the final moments she shared with her husband of more than 55 years. Her testimony was described as one of the most emotional moments in the ongoing proceedings.
"The court heard directly from the person who witnessed the tragedy unfold," said Rhiza Pascua, Ortiz's daughter. "Reliving those moments has been incredibly painful for my mother, but she remains committed to seeing this process through."
Pascua is a Filipino live-events executive who founded Music Management International, which later became part of Live Nation Philippines, where she serves as Managing Director.
In a personal account published in Philippine Star, Pascua described how her family's life has been divided into two chapters since her father's death.
"My father, Nilo Ortiz, was not a headline. He was a husband of 55 years. A father. A grandfather. To me, his only child, he was simply Dad," Pascua wrote.
She described Ortiz as a man who remembered birthdays, offered help before anyone asked, and never walked away from a conversation without leaving someone smiling.
"Before, my mother had her partner beside her. Today, she sleeps alone. Before, my children had a grandfather they could call, visit, laugh with, and play with. Today, they have memories," Pascua wrote.
Pascua has used her father's death to push for greater awareness around senior safety in public spaces. She told ABS-CBN News that the case should serve as a reminder for Filipino families and community establishments everywhere.
"What happened to my father was not a simple accident," Pascua said. "He left home that day expecting to run errands with my mother. Instead, our family lost him forever."
The family has asked the broader community to consider how elderly people move through public spaces with quiet vulnerability. They walk more slowly. They may carry bags. They may be alone. They may trust that the spaces around them are safe.
"Are we doing enough to keep our seniors safe?" Pascua asked in her published account.
The criminal case remains active in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The family continues to attend every hearing and remains hopeful that the legal process will bring justice for Ortiz.
Beyond the courtroom, the case has sparked conversations throughout the community about public safety, organized theft schemes, and whether businesses and property owners are doing enough to protect customers.
The Ortiz family says they are not seeking sympathy or revenge. They are asking that Nilo Ortiz's life be remembered, and that other families take steps to protect their elderly loved ones in the everyday spaces they visit.
"My father should still be enjoying his senior years. He should still be traveling with my mother. He should still be playing Uno with his grandchildren," Pascua wrote. "Instead, we are left with grief, court proceedings, and the responsibility of making sure his story is not forgotten."
This article was generated with AI assistance.