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Authorities asked for the public’s help in identifying the body of a girl found along a Hacienda Heights equestrian trail the day before. There are no known motives in the case, which investigators are handling as a suspicious death, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Scott Hoglund said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
A composite sketch of a young girl found dead along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights was released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on March 6, 2019.
A composite sketch of a young girl found dead along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights was released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on March 6, 2019.
Detectives released a sketch of the victim — described as a black girl, possibly 8 to 13 years old, about 4 feet 5 inches, about 55 pounds, and “skinny.” Investigators said the girl was wearing a pink shirt with the words “Future Princess Hero,” along with leggings with pandas on them, and no shoes. “We don’t have any leads. We don’t have any idea who this child is,” Lt. Scott Hoglund said. Los Angeles County workers doing maintenance on the trail found the body around 10 a.m. south of Hacienda Boulevard and Glenmark Drive, near the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple. Detectives believe the body was left there sometime in the late evening hours on Sunday, March 3, and are seeking anyone who may have seen a car parked in the area. “There is a turnout on Hacienda Boulevard, just south of Colima Road, where we’re looking for any type of witnesses that may have been traveling that area and seen a vehicle pulled over to the side,” Hoglund said.
Photos of clothing worn by a young girl found dead along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights were released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on March 6, 2019.
Photos of clothing worn by a young girl found dead along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights were released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on March 6, 2019.
The girl was found partially inside a black rolling duffel bag, with the upper part of her body protruding from the bag, which was partially zipped. The girl was not bound or tied up, Hoglund said. Investigators said there were no obvious signs of trauma on her body. It is not known whether the girl had already died when she was placed in the bag. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Detectives have reached out to the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as missing child agencies and surrounding school districts, looking for any possible leads. “We don’t have any information regarding this victim. We need to identify the victim before we can really launch into our investigation, and that’s what we’re really looking for, is the public’s help,” Hoglund said. “We don’t have any reason for why this happened or how this happened.” Investigators urged anyone with any bit of information, no matter how small, to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers.