HAWAIIAN GARDENS – Officials and family members of a missing 57-year-old nurse from West Covina found her slain inside her car outside the Hawaiian Gardens Casino Sunday, authorities said.
The woman’s name was not released Sunday pending positive identification and confirmation that legal next of kin had been notified, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Lt. Joe Bale said.
The body was discovered about 9:20 a.m., according to Sgt. Pauline Panis of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.
“Due to the condition of the victim’s body, it appeared the victim was killed and placed in the rear of the vehicle,” sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
The woman’s husband told investigators she got off work Friday morning but never arrived home, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. He reported her missing to the West Covina Police Department Saturday evening.
Family members of the missing woman began searching for her and discovered her car Sunday morning in the parking lot of the Hawaiian Gardens Casino, officials said. They called the sheriff’s department.
“When deputies arrived, they checked the car and found the victim’s body inside the vehicle,” according to the sheriff’s department statement. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.”
“Investigators are currently conducting an investigation and are trying to determine when the victim was last seen alive, and when the victim’s car was parked at the location,” the statement said.
The public’s help is needed in identifying possible suspects, officials added.
Anyone with information about this incident was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be made by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.