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*Updated:
A body found Thursday floating in the lake at Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights has been identified as 36 year-old Lorenza Arellano, said the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
At about 10:15 a.m., Los Angeles police were called with reports of a person found in the lake.
The victim, found partially clothed, was a transient woman living in an encampment, said LAPD’s Hollenbeck Area Capt. Martin Baeza. Her clothes were found next to the lake in an encampment, he added.
Arellano’s body did not have any visible signs of trauma, and authorities have not ruled out a possible suicide, drug overdose or accident.
“We’re handling the investigation as a possible homicide pending the autopsy report,” said Baeza.
Baeza said local transients who might have known the woman were questioned; however, no suspects or people of interest have been identified.
My background: I was born in Mexico and raised in Boyle Heights, where I got my start in journalism by launching a community blog. Most recently, I worked at the Los Angeles Times and have spent most of my career covering local news in LA, with a focus on community-centered stories, Latino communities and mentoring emerging writers.
What I do: I lead coverage of Boyle Heights and East LA across all platforms to inform, connect and uplift our community. I spend my days listening, planning, editing and coordinating to make sure our stories reflect the community fairly, while supporting and mentoring my team of reporters and freelancers so they can grow along the way.
Why LA?: It’s home. It’s the sounds of Spanglish and other languages, the smell of tacos and kimchi, the way street art tells stories and how, even though I hate traffic, I love how the freeways can take me to the beach or the mountains on a whim.
The best way to contact me: My email is jessica.perez@boyleheightsbeat.org.
