The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the body of a young, Black girl found Tuesday near a Hacienda Heights hiking trail.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Hoglund, in a press conference Wednesday, said authorities believe the child’s body was left near the trail during the early evening hours Sunday.
County workers performing maintenance on an equestrian walkway discovered the body of a child believed to be between 8 and 13 years of age around 10 a.m Tuesday morning. Her head and upper body was seen protruding from a partially zipped duffel bag. She was approximately 4 feet 5 inches tall and weighed around 55 pounds.
During Wednesday’s press conference, authorities released a composite sketch showing the child in a long-sleeved pink shirt that said “Future Princess Hero” and panda print pants. Officials also shared an image of a black duffel bag similar to the one she was discovered in.
While there were no signs of visible trauma to the body, officials do believe there was foul play involved. “At this time this incident is being ruled as a suspicious death investigation. Cause of death will be determined by an autopsy that is scheduled for a day or two,” Hoglund explained.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
