BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Torrance woman found dead on mountain road last seen in Redondo Beach
Larry is out at Mackay Lane in Redondo Beach where Cori Desmond's grayish Jeep Wrangler was found today by police. The 28-year-old North High School graduate's body was found near Highway 330. Here's a story on it.
Police said she was last seen at the Bac Street Lounge, where she previously worked, on Artesia Boulevard early Sunday morning. She went there after she left her bartending job at Beaches in Manhattan Beach Saturday night.
Her father, Mark Desmond, was out at the scene. "I don't know what to say," he said. "Somebody knows something."
Police said they did not know how she died, other than that she suffered blunt force trauma.
After graduating North, she earned her degree in criminal justice at Long Beach State University, her dad said.
"She had everything going for her," Mark Desmond said.
Scott Sellars, a Beaches employee, told reporter Andrea Woodhouse that Desmond worked her shift Saturday, then didn't show up Sunday morning. She worked there almost four months, but was an experienced waitress.
"She was great. She was a bundle of energy and always had a smile on her face," Sellars said, calling her a "beautiful young lady."
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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About the Blogger
Denise Nix knew as young as grade school, when she spent every summer working on the camp newspaper, that she wanted to be a journalist. Denise has spent most of the last 12 years of her career in the courtroom. She joined the Daily Breeze in 2001, where she tracks and reports on hundreds of cases at every level of the justice system. And she's never, ever, seen a judge use a gavel.
E-mail Denise at denise.nix@dailybreeze.com.
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This is a sad story, such a young beautiful girl. My prayers go out to her family. I hope the police find out who did this!!!
Big Mo
East Side Torrance
I can not believe this.. it seems like a bad dream but I cant wake up. Cori was an amazing person, beautiful on the inside as well as the out. I can not believe that someone would do this to such an incredible person. Cori had an amazing presence about her and always had a huge smile on her face. I will never forget her beautiful voice as she sang "Black Velvet" so many times during karaoke. My prayers go out to her family. Cori, the world is little less bright without you in it.
We are crushed without you Cori. Our family has a tremendous void without you here with us. We will see you in heaven and know that we will not rest until the demon responsible is found.
Your loving cousin
Tommy
This story hits home with me. My daughter told me last night that she went to school with Cori, and they were very close friends. My daughter is so upset with Cori death. If anyone knows anything about this murder, please contact the police. This coward must be caught!!!
Big Mo
East Side Torrance
My heart aches for Cori's family...I also went to school with Cori, although she was a year ahead of me and I didn't really know her...but I recognize her face and we have a couple of mutual friends.
Watching her face on the news last night like it was just any other story was so surreal...and thoughts of her last moments cause anxiety for me, and I know her family must be feeling this so much more...
As a mother who has lost a child, I can relate somewhat to Cori's parents...murder is such a different ballgame though. I wish them peace.
And it may not be the right timing quite yet...but when they are ready (or for anyone else out there who has lost a child, grandchild, or sibling) - consider attending a meeting with The Compassionate Friends (there is a South Bay Chapter in Palos Verdes) and see if this group can help you through your grief and on to the next stage of living...which will unfortunately never be the same again.
Here is the link to the National site: http://www.compassionatefriends.org/
But feel free to email me for more info on the local South Bay chapter.
God bless.
P.S. When in my deepest moments of grief, the Serenity Prayer has always given me a tiny bit of peace:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
I'd like to send my condolences to the Desmond family as my daughter and her friends also went to school with Cori. They cannot believe this has happened. I pray for her sould and that she rest in peace. I pray for her family during this very difficult time also.
I'd like to say one thing to other young women like Cori. Please, please, please be very careful when out drinking. We don't know the circumstances surrounding Cori's death, but it's not a safe world anymore. You never know who is out there willing to do harm to you young ladies. Always have a friend with you that you trust.
Bless the Desmond family at this time.
Cori was always smiling and laughing. I remember in middleschool, she was always flipping on the bars. I think she actually flipped 50 times in a row. She loved it. I cannot believe that a monster could do this to her. Cori was the type of person that would pass you in the hallway at school and tell you hi, even if you were not the best of friends. She was very friendly to everyone. The world has lost a great person. The Desmond family and close friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Karma will get this person sooner or later. Lets pray sooner. RIP CORI. YOU WILL BE MISSED BY MANY......
Cori i will never forget u stealing the mic from me to belt out your song... u will never be forgotten much love. lexi lane :)
I manage one of the south bay business's and we have the flyer in the front window. My only child was murdered and my heart aches for the family and friends. There are no words that will make any sense of this nightmare. After many years and tears from my personal loss I extend myself to the family of Cori. Please feel free to contact me. I do not have any answers but sometimes having someone to listen
is helpful. There is nothing worse than losing a child. murder adds an extra layer of pain. Email me for my phone #.
From my heart to yours, Melinda
This is a really sad story. Maybe she met some freak. If there is any video of the entrance door of this place on Artesia, then they can use that footage to see if she left with anyone that night. Did she have a car? I hope her family is putting pressure on the police department to find this creep!