$75,000 Reward Announced in Unsolved Murder of Hollywood Doorman

Police are hoping that a $75,000 reward for information will help solve the 2002 murders of two men in Studio City. 

On Sept. 22, 2002, Michael Tardio, 35, and Christopher Monson, 31, were found dead inside a burning Mercedes SUV in the 11600 block of Woodbridge Street in Studio City. Both men had been shot to death.

Tardio worked as a doorman at The Garden of Eden, a popular Hollywood nightclub, and was dating Playboy magazine cover model Sandy Bentley at the time of his death. Monson, described in multiple media reports as a close friend of Tardio's, was managing a Culver City self-storage business.

“This is an unusual case with lots of intriguing details, but for the families of Michael Tardio and Christopher Monson, who lost their loved ones in 2002, this was an unthinkable tragedy," City Councilman Paul Krekorian wrote in a press release announcing the reward. "We hope this reward will give police the information to once and for all put this case to bed and give those involved the peace of mind they’ve been desperately seeking for nine years.”

On Saturday night, a 48 Hours television episode looking into the case aired.

Anyone with information on the case are encouraged to contact Detective King or English with the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-486-689.