SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, June 15, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced that a jury found Lee Bell, 54, of San Francisco guilty of first degree murder in the 2010 death of Pearla Louis.
“This was a brutal act by a callous man,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “Domestic violence touches far too many of us, and it can be prevented.”
On May 18, 2010 at 8:30 am, a large suitcase was recovered floating in the San Francisco Bay at Folsom and Embarcadero by San Francisco Fire Department Firefighters. Inside the crammed and stuffed suitcase was the battered, beaten, strangled and naked body of 52-year-old Pearla Louis, a mother of four. The victim was the girlfriend of Louis at the time of her death.
According to a press release from the SFDA Office, three days before the discovery of the victim on May 15, 2010, Louis met Bell at 5 p.m. at the Harcourt Hotel in the Tenderloin District. They left and returned at approximately 7 p.m., where the desk clerk observed Bell speaking to the victim in an angry manner. It was the last time the victim was seen alive by anyone.
On May 16, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., video footage captured the suspect arriving at the Drake Hotel, to a single room occupancy where he previously stored his belongings. He requested the Drake Hotel staff provide him his suitcase, which he had in storage. The staff provided him with one large suitcase before noon.
On May 17, 2010, at 8:30 am, the same suitcase was seen floating against the rocks in the Bay by the Embarcadero near Folsom Street. DNA testing of the handle of this suitcase contained Bell’s DNA profile. He was charged with the first degree murder of Louis on June 9, 2010.
“If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence it’s imperative that you get help,” said ADA Michael Swart. “The victim’s family and their resolve over the years to see this case through is to be commended.”
