Coroner ID’s slain porn actor; LA studio offers reward for details leading to suspect’s arrest

Slain porn actor ID’d; studio offers arrest reward

LOS ANGELES — The head of an adult film company is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a porn actor police say killed another performer during a sword-wielding attack that also left two people wounded.

Herbert Wong, 30, was killed when he tried to stop Stephen Hill from attacking one of the other victims during a small social gathering Tuesday night at Ultima DVD’s production center, police said. Hill, whose professional name is Steve Driver, fled in an SUV and is being sought by police.

Wong, whose identity was released by the county coroner’s office, died of multiple stab wounds, coroner spokesman Craig Harvey said Friday. He was killed with a prop sword, police said.

Eric Jover, who runs Ultima DVD, announced the reward offer on his company’s website, where he also posted a tribute to Wong, who acted under the name Tom Dong.

Jover credited Wong’s efforts to stop the attack with saving his life and the lives of others.

“His sacrifice will not go unheard,” Jover said. “He will be remembered in the industry as an actor and technical ‘go-to’ guy who was a valuable resource and friend to all.”

Jover declined to elaborate on the attack, saying he did not want to compromise the investigation.

Wong worked for Ultima for three years as an actor, cinematographer, film editor and webmaster and was his best friend, Jover said.

The small company is located in the city’s San Fernando Valley, known in the adult film industry as Porn Valley for the number of such businesses there. It produces niche films featuring fetishes and sexual domination of men.

Hill, 34, lived and worked at Ultima’s production facility. He went on a rampage after being told he was losing his job and would have to move out, police said.

Hill was convicted of second-degree assault and a handgun charge in March 1999 in Maryland, according to court records. A state’s attorney spokesman did not return a call seeking details about that case.