San Francisco Police Increase Reward in 2001 Unsolved Killing

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The San Francisco Police Department has increased the reward to $175,000 for information in the unsolved 2001 killing of 25-year-old Paula Brien. Brien was found dead on June 18, 2001, near the 400 block of Harriet Street after she left a bar in the area of Sixth and Mission streets with an unknown man driving a red vehicle. No arrests have been made, but police have described a person of interest as a white man who in 2001 was between 35 and 40 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing around 200 pounds, with dark brown hair and deep-set eyes.

Why it matters

The unsolved killing of Paula Brien has remained a cold case for over 20 years, leaving her family and the San Francisco community seeking closure and justice. The increased reward money may help generate new leads and prompt someone with information to come forward.

The details

According to police, Brien was found dead on June 18, 2001, near the 400 block of Harriet Street after she left a bar in the area of Sixth and Mission streets with an unknown man driving a red vehicle. Investigators have described a person of interest as a white man who in 2001 was between 35 and 40 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing around 200 pounds, with dark brown hair and deep-set eyes. No arrests have been made in the case.

• Paula Brien was found dead on June 18, 2001.
• On February 19, 2026, police announced a $25,000 increase to the existing reward, bringing the total to $175,000.

What’s next

On Wednesday, police announced they authorized a $25,000 increase to the existing reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible.