Restaurant worker found dead in alley in upscale Laguna Beach
11/14/2023 2:03 pm PST
UPDATE Nov. 16, 2023:
Laguna Beach Police announced the arrest of Dino Rojas-Moreno in connection with Tatum Goodwin's death. He was apprehended on Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Laguna Hills on a charge of murder. Rojas-Moreno's bail was set at $1 million.
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LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (TCD) -- A homicide investigation is underway after officials found the badly beaten body of a deceased 27-year-old woman.
A construction worker discovered the victim’s remains near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue on Sunday, Nov. 12, at around 8:20 a.m., according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. Police and fire personnel responded to the scene and found the woman, identified by KTLA-TV as Tatum Goodwin.
Although the news source named the victim, police said the Orange County Coroner’s Division will confirm the identity and cause of death.
According to KTLA, Goodwin reportedly showed signs of apparent trauma and was found badly beaten in an alley behind a movie theater and Carmelita’s, the restaurant where she worked as an assistant manager.
A friend told KTLA that Goodwin reportedly went to a nearby tavern on Saturday after work.
Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a statement, "We are saddened by this senseless act of violence. Our detectives are working diligently to bring the suspect(s) to justice."
Police have asked anyone with information regarding the victim’s death to contact authorities.
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