Joeline Turton, Owner of Pepper’s Jamaican Belizean Cuisine Killed in L.A

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Belizean‑American restaurateur Joeline Tessa Turton, owner of Pepper’s Jamaican & Belizean Cuisine, was killed in South Los Angeles on Thursday, July 17, after becoming involved in a fight on 87th Street and Western Avenue. Authorities confirmed that Turton sustained fatal stab injuries during the altercation and that an investigation is ongoing.

Turton, 30, was beloved across her community—from Los Angeles to Belize. She was deeply proud of her Belizean roots, having made several trips to her ancestral homeland in recent years. There is even a library in Belize named after her great‑grandfather. She is survived by her 11‑year‑old son, Endon. In addition, Turton acted as a mother figure to her cousin’s daughter after the young girl’s mother passed away, making sure she had her own room at her house.

“Joeline was more than just a beautiful face,” her cousin Isabell Requena said during a press conference this week in front of her restaurant. “She was a visionary, a proud entrepreneur, actress and the heart behind Pepper’s Jamaican Belizean Cuisine.”

“Joeline loved children,” her sister told The Voice of Black Los Angeles. “She had a big house and always had the kids there. She believed it was important for them to have spaces to be together and make memories.”

Turton’s cousin, Cherish, described her as the inspiration behind Pepper’s. “She was my favorite cousin and we spent a lot of time together,” Cherish said. “She was the reason for Pepper’s. She loved to cook and wanted a place where everyone in the community could come and eat.” Pepper’s Jamaican & Belizean Cuisine earned a reputation in Los Angeles for welcoming ambiance, vibrant Caribbean flavors, and bridging Jamaican and Belizean culinary traditions. There are several locations, with Turton’s restaurant nestled on the famed Slauson Corridor near Van Ness Avenue.

In addition to running Pepper’s Jamaican & Belizean Cuisine, Turton owned a beauty supply store and a trucking company. Turton’s mother stood at the press conference and called out the senselessness of her loss.

“It sucks my daughter lost her life to such foolishness,” she said. “She was always trying to bring the family together.”

“She was always writing affirmations to herself,” her sister said. “I’m finding so many affirmations she wrote down, like ‘I am a boss, I am an entrepreneur.’”

Her family clarified that they will not be accepting funeral donations, although cards and messages of support may be dropped off at the restaurant. Those who wish to honor her memory can attend a prayer circle and lantern release July 27th at Manhattan Beach. Turton’s legacy lives on through her son, her entrepreneurial spirit, the meals she shared, and the community she cherished.