A grieving father whose son was murdered at a Hollywood medical marijuana dispensary in June appealed for the public’s help Monday in finding the killer. A $55,000 reward for information in the case has been offered by the City and County of Los Angeles.

Joel Packman, father of murder victim Ila Ali Packman, appealed for the public’s help in solving the case. Packman was joined by Chief David Doan, head of the detectives for the Los Angeles Police Department. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Ila Ali Packman, 39, was stabbed to death on June 24 while working at the Hollywood Holistic II dispensary at 1607 N. El Centro Ave. Chief David Doan, head of detectives for the LAPD, said investigators have exhausted all leads in the case, and are hoping someone saw something suspicious at the location around the time of the murder. Packman was last seen smoking a cigarette outside the building at approximately 8:30 p.m., and was found dead inside the dispensary by another employee around 9:05 p.m., according to Doan.

“This is not about medical marijuana. It is about a young man who was senselessly murdered during the course of a robbery,” Doan said. “We want to prevent it from happening to someone else.”

Doan said the suspect also stole marijuana valued at approximately $3,000, and the dispensary’s surveillance system. He said Packman was alone at the location, and may have let the perpetrator in through the rear door. Packman was stabbed multiple times, according to Doan. There was no forced entry, and no weapon was found.

Doan said Hollywood Holistic II is one of two dispensaries operating in the same building at the location. Another dispensary, named Hollyweed, occupies the second floor of the building. Hollywood Holistic II is one of the dispensaries that is operating legally under the city’s ordinance, according to Doan and officials from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office. Hollyweed has been identified by the City Attorney’s Office as operating illegally and has been sent a letter instructing that it should be closed.

The victim’s father, Joel Packman, said his son had been living in the Hollywood area since 1995. Originally from Philadelphia, Ila Packman came to Southern California to pursue a movie career, and had a small part in “Steal This Movie” in 2000. He later began working in the film industry behind-the-scenes as a grip, and was also an aspiring artist and photographer. He was volunteering at Hollywood Holistic II.

“Ila always had this total sense of freedom. He was a total artist,” Joel Packman said. “He was full of life. Ila was unique in that he had friends in a wide range of backgrounds. He was someone who was a gentle soul. We just hope someone can provide the information that solves this.”

Doan said the dispensary is located across the street from a Bally Total Fitness, and believes someone may have seen something on their way to or from the health spa. He added that information is needed to get the investigation back on track.

“What we know is Ila Packman is dead, the medical marijuana is missing, there was no forced entry, the camera equipment is gone, and that is all we know,” Doan said. “There is nothing to ID the suspects.”

Doan added that medical marijuana dispensaries are frequently the targets of armed robberies, and equated them to jewelry stores, where valuable merchandise is stored.

“They aren’t any different than any other businesses that deal in hard cash, and where you have a lot of valuable product around,” Doan added. “If you have a lot of jewelry stored in a case, people will figure out a way to try to steal it. These clinics fit that category. The merchandise can be resold on the streets and they have a lot of cash on hand. Any place like that, you are going to see these kinds of things.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Lisa Sanchez or Det. Orlando Martinez with the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division at (213)486-6890.

During weekends and after hours, call the 24-hour, toll-free hotline at (877)LAPD247. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crimestoppers at (800)222-TIPS, or at www.lapdonline.org. People can also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”