Porter Ranch residents in the San Fernando Valley are grappling with shock and sorrow following the discovery of a married couple found dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside their home in the 20700 block of Como Lane near Rinaldi Street and the Ronald Reagan 118 Freeway.
Los Angeles Police Department officers from the Devonshire Division arrived at the residence around 9:20 p.m. on Monday March 2, 2026 after a neighbor called 911 reporting possible gunshot victims. The call quickly escalated into a full homicide investigation as patrol units secured the single family home transforming the normally peaceful block into an active crime scene with yellow tape and emergency lights visible for hours.
The couple’s adult son made the devastating discovery when he arrived at the property and found his parents unresponsive inside prompting him to immediately seek help from a nearby neighbor who placed the emergency call. Devonshire Division officers entered the home and confirmed both individuals deceased at the scene with no signs of forced entry or additional victims.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced them dead on arrival while detectives from the Robbery Homicide Division began processing evidence including the recovery of a single firearm inside the residence.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner officially identified the victims on Wednesday March 4 as 58-year-old Zaven Shahverdi and his 55-year-old wife Melina Avanosian both longtime Porter Ranch residents. Each sustained a single gunshot wound to the head according to preliminary findings with the medical examiner’s office continuing its review of cause and manner of death. The couple had deep roots in the local Armenian American community where they were known for their private family life in the upscale neighborhood north of the 118 Freeway.
Preliminary investigation by LAPD has led authorities to treat the case as a suspected domestic murder suicide with no evidence of external involvement or additional suspects at the scene. Detectives have not released any motive or further details about the circumstances inside the Como Lane home emphasizing that the incident appears isolated to the residence. The swift classification came after a thorough review of the scene layout and physical evidence allowing investigators to rule out broader threats to the surrounding Porter Ranch community.
Porter Ranch neighbors have expressed profound sadness over the loss of a couple who maintained a low profile yet contributed quietly to the suburban fabric of this San Fernando Valley enclave. The tragedy has prompted increased conversations about mental health resources and domestic support in the area where families often enjoy the safety and amenities of master planned communities. Local residents have begun offering condolences through community networks while respecting the family’s privacy during this difficult period.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division continues its active investigation into the March 2 incident with detectives reviewing all available evidence and urging anyone with information to contact them directly. No further updates have been released pending completion of the medical examiner’s full report but authorities have confirmed there is no ongoing public safety concern in the 20700 block of Como Lane.
