Widow Of Murdered Camper Pleads For Help Finding Husband's Killer

CALABASAS, CA – The widow of a man mysteriously shot while camping with their two young daughters in Malibu State Park issued a statement Wednesday thanking the public for their support, and urging anyone with information that would lead to her husband's killer to come forward.

A combined $30,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever shot Tristan Thomas Beaudette, 35, about 4:45 a.m. on June 22 in a tent he was sharing with his 2- and 4-year-old daughters in Calabasas.

The reward money is offered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the city of Malibu and Allergan plc, the pharmaceutical company for which Beaudette worked.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my family, friends, and the community at large for the outpouring of love and support over the loss of someone who was beloved to so many. Tristan's passing has been incredibly difficult for me and my family and we continue to grieve over this senseless loss," stated Beaudette's wife Erica Wu, who was studying for an exam and didn't make the camping trip.

Wu went on to describe her late husband as a "devoted husband and father whose life revolved around" his family.

"We met when we were teenagers, grew up together, married, and had two amazing and beautiful daughters," she said. "In everything that he did, Tristan was kind, selfless, and giving, and had a natural ability to connect with just about anyone.

"We supported each other as we pursued our careers while balancing what truly mattered most – spending time with our girls and living life to the fullest. I may never understand why our time together was cut short, but we had an incredible journey and I am so grateful for every day I had with him."

Beaudette "rejoiced in sharing his love for the outdoors with the girls and believed that campgrounds were the definition of a sanctuary where people could feel safe and secure," said Wu, who thanked county Supervisor Sheila Kuhl, the city of Malibu and Allergan for pledging reward money.

Homicide detectives said the motive for the shooting of Beaudette wasn't known, but a string of shootingsoccurred around the area in 2016 and 2017, including a couple who was shot at while sleeping in their car, and a Tesla that was shot at while driving.

A fundraiser has also been set up for the Beaudette family while they recover from their loss. For more information or to donate to the Go Fund Me page, click here.

Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call sheriff's Detectives Richard Tomlin or Daniel Morris at (323) 890-5500.

City News Service contributed to this post; Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner; Images courtesy of the Go Fund Me