A young woman's body was discovered in Laguna Beach on Sunday, prompting a homicide investigation. The unidentified woman, believed to be in her 20s, was found by a construction worker at around 8:20 a.m. in a secluded area near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue. The discovery instigated an immediate shockwave through the community, as reported by CBS Los Angeles.
Details from the investigation suggest that the woman was well-liked in her neighborhood. Her coworkers at Carmelita's, a local venue, last saw her around 11 p.m. on Saturday night. Kimberly Francisco, a friend and coworker, referred to the victim as a sister-like figure. Another coworker, wishing to remain anonymous, acknowledged the woman's warm nature.
While the exact cause of death is still being determined, police have started a homicide investigation due to suspicious circumstances. Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD) expressed grief and stated their commitment to solve the crime in an official press release, as posted on the City of Laguna Beach website.
Police have yet to locate the victim's cell phone which continually pings off nearby cell towers. This creates queries about the events leading to her death and possible involvement of others who might have had access to her phone, as indicated by CBS Los Angeles. The Orange County Coroner's Division will release more details about her identity and circumstances surrounding her death soon, as per KTLA.
Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to come forward to aid in the investigation. Contact information for Laguna Beach Detective Tanner Flagstad, as well as an option for anonymous tip submission, can be found in the public call for assistance on the City's official press release.
