My name is Ana Estevez, and I am the mother of Aramazd Andressian II, lovingly known as “Piqui,” my precious five-year-old son who was brutally murdered in 2017. 

The loss of my son is a tragedy that forever changed my life. No parent should ever have to endure the unimaginable heartbreak of searching for their missing child, only to learn that the child they loved more than life itself had been murdered. 

It was during this devastating chapter of my life that I came to know Art Miller, who was serving as Chief of Police for the City of South Pasadena. 

I want to share my personal experience with Chief Miller because, beyond his distinguished career in law enforcement, I witnessed firsthand how he responded to a family experiencing an unimaginable tragedy. 

Throughout the investigation into Piqui’s disappearance and murder, Chief Miller remained personally involved and maintained communication with my family. He helped coordinate an extensive search involving more than 250 law enforcement personnel and volunteers from across California.

 His involvement extended far beyond overseeing the work of his department. He understood that behind the investigation was a mother desperately searching for her little boy and a family struggling with fear, uncertainty, and overwhelming grief. During a time when so much felt uncertain, his presence, communication, and compassion provided a measure of reassurance that I will never forget. 

Even after Piqui was found and an arrest was made, Chief Miller continued to be present. He helped coordinate my son’s memorial services, stood beside me on one of the darkest days of my life during Piqui’s funeral, delivered a heartfelt eulogy honoring my son's life, and supported my advocacy efforts surrounding Piqui’s Law. 

During his eulogy, Chief Miller spoke about my son’s remarkable personality, intelligence, and the little things that made him so special. For a mother who had lost her only child, knowing that the police chief had taken the time to truly learn about her son was profoundly meaningful. It was a gesture of compassion and humanity that has remained with me all these years.

What I remember most is that Chief Miller never treated Piqui as simply another case number. He recognized that my son was a little boy whose life mattered, whose absence would forever be felt, and whose memory deserved to be honored.

Chief Miller’s professional background includes decades of service with the Los Angeles Police Department, leadership of the South Pasadena and Peoria Police Departments, and responsibilities in municipal administration. His career has also included initiatives involving community policing, school safety, and partnerships with local organizations. 

While these accomplishments reflect the breadth of his professional experience, my personal experience offers a different and deeply meaningful perspective on his service.

 I witnessed his willingness to communicate with a grieving family, remain personally involved during an extraordinarily difficult investigation, and continue offering support beyond the immediate demands of his position. His actions demonstrated that leadership is not measured solely by professional accomplishments or titles, but also by how we treat others, particularly during their most vulnerable moments. 

I cannot speak to every decision Chief Miller made throughout his career. I can, however, speak to the compassion, professionalism, and personal commitment he demonstrated toward my family during the most painful experience of our lives. 

Nearly a decade later, I continue to carry the profound grief of losing Piqui. That grief will never disappear, nor will the love I have for my son. But alongside that sorrow, I also carry lasting gratitude for the individuals who stood beside me, treated me with dignity, and helped me navigate circumstances no family should ever have to face. 

Art Miller is one of those individuals.

I share this experience not simply as someone who interacted with a police chief during a criminal investigation, but as a mother who witnessed the humanity behind the badge. I remain deeply grateful for the kindness, compassion, and unwavering support Chief Miller extended to my family, and for the respect he showed my beloved Piqui. 

It is my hope that sharing my experience provides a meaningful perspective on Chief Miller’s years in public service and the lasting impact his actions have had on my family.