What happened to Jolene Thurton? Tributes pour in as owner of popular Pepper's Jamaican Food passes away
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Jolene Thurton (Photo: Instagram/@joelinejolene)Jolene Thurton, the owner of the popular Los Angeles restaurant Pepper's Jamaican-Belizean Cuisine, passed away on July 17, 2025. Her unresponsive body was found in the 1200 block of West 87th Street. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Her family claimed Thurton was allegedly stabbed, and her sister stated that they would reveal the face of the alleged stabber in a press conference, which would be held at the restaurant on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
Isabell Izzy Requena, Jolene Thurton's cousin, told the LA journalist slausongirl that Jolene got into an "altercation" with a person who was supposedly a "provoking energy" in her life, and that person reportedly stabbed her.
She shared that she could not share much information on the alleged stabber's identity as it's an open case.
However, Requena said that the police officers "moved" Jolene's body to a different location before taking her to the hospital.
"It was an altercation, they fought and the other person stabbed my relative and she passed away. But I was told they moved her body, the police officers, no one was able to put pressure on her body," Requena said.
Jolene Thurton's sister, Ronnie, shared a message for the late entrepreneur
Isabell Izzy Requena shared Jolene Thurton's sister Ronnie's message for the press. Calling her a "visionary," Ronnie stated that Jolene inspired women and children in her community to dream big.
"Jolene Tessa Thurton was more than just a beautiful face. She was a visionary, a proud entrepreneur, actress, and the heart behind Pepper's Jamaican Belizean cuisine. She lit up every room with her energy and inspired women and children to dream bigger," the message reads.
The message continued, stating that the entrepreneur's legacy would live on.
"She was a fighter, a giver, a creator, and above all a mother whose love had no limits. Her legacy lives on through every life she touched, every soul she uplifted and every bold move she made in a world that couldn't dim her light," Ronnie wrote.
During the press conference, Jolene Thurton's mother shared that her daughter was a peaceful person who brought the family together.
Her family claimed Jolene never had any problems with others and worked hard to run her restaurant.
Isabell Izzy Requena again mentioned "a provoking energy" and said that everyone should be careful around people like that, and not let them stay near.
The Thurton family said that they would not take donations for her funeral. However, they have launched a GoFundMe for Jolene's 11-year-old son Endon.
The description of the fundraiser states that the $18,000 they are requesting would go towards Endon's education, his emotional care, and healing.
According to Our Weekly's July 23, 2025, report, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau suspects that Jolene Thurton was reportedly shot as the authorities received reports of gunshots at the same time.
However, the late entrepreneur's family insists that Jolene was allegedly stabbed.
The police have not shared any description of the person who is responsible for Jolene's death. The investigation is ongoing.
TOPICS: Jolene Thurton, death