In a shocking development, a 26-year-old man from California, Dino Rojas-Moreno, has been apprehended in Laguna Hills on charges of murder.
The victim, 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin, was found brutally beaten in an alleyway behind a disused cinema and the restaurant where she was employed. The Laguna Beach Police Department confirmed the arrest in a recent press release.
Rojas-Moreno was pinpointed as the alleged perpetrator of the heinous crime based on "information and evidence" gathered by the police, the specifics of which have not been disclosed. The department has assured the public that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The authorities have yet to comment on the potential motive behind the murder or clarify if there was any prior relationship between Rojas-Moreno and Goodwin. The accused is currently detained in the Laguna Beach Jail with bail set at $1 million.
The announcement of Rojas-Moreno's arrest coincided with a vigil held in honor of Goodwin in her hometown of San Clemente. The event was attended by hundreds of mourners, including family members and friends.
Speaking to KTLA, Goodwin's mother, Stacy Goodwin-Pitino, expressed her anguish, saying, "The hardest part is she was alone fighting for her life. Youre helpless. You cant do anything. Goodwin's sister, Kaylee, was also overcome with regret, tearfully stating, "I wasnt there to protect her. She didnt deserve this.
Goodwin-Pitino painted a picture of her daughter as a generous and cheerful individual. This sentiment was echoed by others who knew Goodwin, describing her as a beloved figure in the close-knit Laguna Beach community.
Goodwin's body was discovered by a construction worker in a secluded location near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue on Sunday morning. The police reported signs of trauma on the body, indicative of homicide, and deemed the scene "suspicious." The official cause of Goodwin's death is yet to be disclosed.
Goodwin had been employed as an assistant manager at Carmelitas restaurant in Laguna Beach for over four years. Friends reported that after completing her shift on Saturday night, she joined them at Hennesseys Tavern and later at the Marine Room bar. Tragically, her battered body was found just a few steps away from her workplace mere hours later.
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