Beloved LA Restaurateur Jolene Thurton Dead at 42—Family Says She Was Stabbed, Police Investigating
Los Angeles is mourning the tragic loss of Jolene Tessa Thurton, the dynamic owner of Pepper’s Jamaican-Belizean Cuisine, whose vibrant personality and community presence made her a beloved figure in South LA’s food and culture scene. Jolene, 42, was found unresponsive on July 17, 2025, in the 1200 block of West 87th Street and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
While the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not confirmed the exact cause of death—saying only that they responded to reports of gunshots—Jolene’s family insists she was stabbed, and they are demanding answers.
“It was an altercation,” said Jolene’s cousin Isabell ‘Izzy’ Requena to local journalist Slauson Girl. “They fought, and the other person stabbed my relative and she passed away. But I was told the police moved her body… No one was able to put pressure on her wounds.”
According to Requena, Jolene had recently been dealing with a “provoking energy” in her life—a person who, she implied, brought chaos and instability. She declined to identify the individual publicly, citing the ongoing investigation, but confirmed that the family intends to reveal the face of the alleged attacker during a press conference held at the restaurant on Wednesday, July 23.
A Life Bigger Than the Kitchen
Jolene Thurton wasn’t just a chef and entrepreneur—she was a pillar of her community, a mother, a dreamer, and a natural-born star. Many in LA knew her from her restaurant, Pepper’s, a vibrant blend of Jamaican and Belizean flavors that drew in everyone from politicians to locals seeking a taste of home.
Her sister, Ronnie Thurton, released a heartfelt tribute through the press:
“Jolene Tessa Thurton was more than just a beautiful face. She was a visionary, a proud entrepreneur, actress, and the heart behind Pepper’s. She lit up every room with her energy and inspired women and children to dream bigger.”
Ronnie added that her sister was a “fighter, a giver, a creator, and above all a mother whose love had no limits.”
Jolene leaves behind an 11-year-old son, Endon, whom her family says she adored above all else. While the family has declined funeral donations, they’ve launched a GoFundMe campaign requesting $18,000 to support Endon’s education and emotional healing.
Conflicting Claims, Ongoing Investigation
The case has sparked confusion and controversy. While Jolene’s family insists she was stabbed, authorities have said they were responding to reports of gunfire. The Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau is continuing its investigation, but no arrests have been made and no suspect description has been released to the public.
Izzy Requena urged the community to stay alert:
“Watch out for the energies around you. Don’t let that kind of energy live in your home, your business, or your heart.”
Jolene’s death is a devastating loss for LA’s Black and Caribbean communities, who knew her not just for her oxtail and curry goat, but for her strength, her smile, and her determination to build something of her own.
As her family seeks justice, the city remembers a woman who turned flavor into legacy—and whose light was extinguished far too soon.