A grisly discovery of a burned body in a car trunk has led to the arrest of a Lancaster man, as residents reel from the shocking incident that unfolded in their quiet neighborhood. According to KTLA, 37-year-old Matthew Switalski has been taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on murder charges after the body of 27-year-old Veronica Aguilar was found in his home. The house, located in the 41400 block of 38th Street West, also suffered significant damage due to an earlier blaze.
Reportedly a former Northrop Grumman employee, Switalski is said to have at one point been romantically involved with Aguilar. Early in the morning of Dec. 20, first responders arrived at the scene of the fire after 8:30 a.m., where they encountered the vehicles engulfed in flames. A neighbor, recounting the early hours of that day, told KTLA, “Around 2 a.m., I heard a blood-curdling scream." The identity of the victim later confirmed to be a local schoolteacher, was not immediately disclosed, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding narrative.
Following the initial response to the fire, Switalski was apprehended in Kern County and currently faces charges for Aguilar’s death. Jail records cited by KABC show Switalski is being held on $2 million bail.
While details about the suspect and the tragic event continue to emerge, the LASD has yet to uncover all the circumstances surrounding the death of Aguilar. "Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500," a statement from the department said, as reported by Hoodline.
