Song Family Transcends Grief to Give Back to the Community

Just over one year ago, Yelin “Laura” Song’s tragic disappearance stirred up the Cal U community and embroiled fellow student Edgar Vila in controversy. Song was a pre-med student majoring in Asian American Studies, an enthusiastic member of her sorority, and a community leader as the reigning Miss LA Chinatown pageant winner. Edgar Vila, an active member of the Latino student interest group La Familia de Cal U, and his fraternity, Gamma Beta Alpha, was initially suspected in Laura’s disappearance due to their tumultuous romantic relationship. Vila was never charged with Song’s disappearance due to insufficient evidence of any connection with the crime.

A year later, the Song family is moving past the tragedy of Laura’s disappearance, channeling their grief towards aiding the community. They’ve established a foundation that will be donating a $10 million grant and a parcel of valuable land to a community project with the goal of commemorating and remembering Laura. The grant will be awarded to the proposal that best gives back to the community in the spirit of Laura’s life. Later today, the committee awarding the grant will begin to introduce themselves to community members and delineate what they’re looking for in grant proposals. Many Cal U organizations and students are expected to be at tonight’s forum to introduce themselves to the committee and represent their communities. The Daily Clue will be looking to endorse the proposal that best addresses the needs of Cal U faculty and students, promotes cohesiveness among the diverse Cal U community, and avoids entanglements with individuals who are highly suspected to be involved in Song’s disappearance.

Many are also hoping that the returned attention to Song’s disappearance brought on by the forum will spark renewed interest in solving the cold case. The LAPD has largely dropped the case after various leads proved unfruitful. However, as members of the mystery return to the fray at tonight’s meeting, we’ll see what new information is uncovered. In the coming weeks, the Daily Clue will be reporting on any new developments, as well as revisiting Song’s disappearance by speaking to each of the Cal U students, alumni, and faculty who were involved in Laura Song’s life and disappearance. Stay tuned for more coverage as events unfold.