Community reacts to double murder of Palm Springs business owner, son

UPDATE: 6:59 p.m.

The death of Palm Springs business owner Lulu Pillay is leaving those who knew her best in shock.

“I just still think it’s like a bad nightmare,” Katy Abel said.

A returning customer went to shop at Pillay’s store at La Plaza in Downtown Palm Springs Friday morning, but instead came across a note and flowers at her door.

Police found Pillay and her son, Arlyn, dead earlier this week in Irvine.

37-year-old Nolan Pillay is now facing murder charges in the killings of his mother and younger brother.

After knowing her for nearly 20 years, nearby store owner Sharon Kramer said she remembers Lulu Pillay being very kind and expressive.

She even spent time with her at trade shows featuring items designed by Lulu and Arlyn, and eventually suggested she bring her business to Palm Springs.

“Very, very creative,” Kramer said. “And she loved to see people try her things, because they were bright and colorful, and to kind of (see them) come out of their box and do something different.”

Others like Abel, a property manager for La Plaza, remember Lulu Pillay as someone more than just a client.

“I was pregnant during the time, I have a one-year-old son, and she would tell me about her sons,” Pillay said. “She was so proud of Arlyn, and just showing me all of the things that he had done for sale in her shop.”

Now, those who knew the lady behind Lady Lulu hope to preserve her memory following this tragedy.

“It’s just one of those things that you’ve known people over the years, and you’re so surprised when you hear that, and when you start thinking about it the next day, that I walk down that street and i’m not going to see her anymore,” Kramer said. “It’s very sad.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up to pay for funeral expenses, and to keep Pillay’s shop in Downtown Palm Springs open.

You can find that link in our earlier version below.

Stay with KESQ and CBS Local 2 both on-air and online for the latest details on this murder case.

———-

ORIGINAL STORY: 11:42 a.m.

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 is out in downtown Palm Springs Friday talking to the community after a local business owner and her son were recently found dead in a double homicide in Irvine.

Palm Springs business owner, Lulu Pillay, and her son, Arlyn Pillay, were killed in a double homicide Tuesday. Their bodies were found inside a home on Crystal Circle in Irvine Tuesday afternoon. KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 broke the story locally Thursday afternoon.

Lulu’s eldest son, 37-year-old Nolan Pillay, was in court Thursday facing murder charges.

Flowers and message were left at LADY LULU in downtown Palm Springs on Friday morning. A GoFundMe page has been set up for funeral expenses and to help keep the one-of-a-kind boutique open.

Lauren Coronado is talking to business owners in downtown Palm Springs to learn more about Lulu and her son Arlyn, and the love and support the community is showing for the business in the wake of tragedy.

We’ll have the full story on KESQ News Channel 3 at 5 p.m .and on CBS Local 2 at 5:30 p.m.