Two bodies found one day apart in Carson channel not connected, LASD says
Two bodies found one day apart in Carson
Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials confirmed Thursday that two separate death investigations are underway after two bodies were found floating in the Dominguez Channel in Carson just a day apart. The victims include a severely decomposed young girl estimated to be between 6 and 12 years old and an unidentified man in his 50s or 60s.
CARSON, Calif. - Two separate death investigations are underway in Carson following the discovery of two bodies floating in the Dominguez Channel across a 24-hour period.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, no connection has been established between the two cases.
What we know:
The first victim was discovered just after noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1, near the Dominguez Channel Bike Path in the 20000 block of South Avalon Boulevard.
According to authorities, someone at the nearby Victoria Golf Course spotted the body of a young girl floating downstream and called 911.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 of 2 bodies found near Carson channel identified as a child
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner determined the girl was between 6 and 12 years old, stood between 4 feet 4 inches and 4 feet 8 inches tall, and weighed between 60 and 80 pounds. She had dark brown or black hair and brown eyes.
Officials said due to severe decomposition, specific physical details as well as the girl's identity and race are unknown.
To help identify her, the Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team is reviewing past regional contacts, detectives are searching for area surveillance video, and Homicide Bureau forensic artists are actively generating composite reconstruction sketches.
The second body was discovered Wednesday, Sept. 2, around 8:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of East Sepulveda Boulevard near East Del Amo Boulevard.
According to the LASD, a refinery worker in the area spotted the unresponsive person in the channel and alerted authorities. Deputies responded and erected a pop-up tent on the channel bank to shield the scene.
Firefighters pulled the man from the water, where he was pronounced dead. Homicide detectives identified him as a Black man in his 50s and estimated he had been dead for less than 24 hours.
Preliminary inspections revealed no obvious signs of trauma or foul play on his body, officials said.
Detectives noted there was no notable homeless activity in the immediate area.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not yet determined the cause or manner of death for either individual as autopsies are pending.
What's next:
Detectives are checking local missing persons reports and canvassing the surrounding areas for potential witnesses or security footage that could assist both cases. The Dominguez Channel starts in Hawthorne and travels through Gardena, Torrance, and Carson.
Forensic artists will finalize reconstruction sketches of the young girl to aid in her public identification following completed autopsy results.
What you can do:
Anyone with information regarding either death is urged to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Those who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-8477 or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. City News Service contributed.