A 54-year-old Arizona woman was found dead in the trunk of a car in California, and a man she may have been dating has been charged with her death.
The family of Christi Romero reported her and her car, a 1995 Plymouth Neon, missing to police in Holbrook, Arizona on Monday, according to Huntington Beach, California, police.
Romero’s body was found in that car late Friday afternoon after Huntington Police were called about a “family disturbance” at a home on Frimi Lane, KABC reported.
“Upon arrival, officers located individuals based on interviews,” said police spokesperson Jessica Cuchilla. “An investigation led the officers to such a vehicle in the area where a female victim’s body was discovered.”
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The car was parked outside the home. With the assistance of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department, investigators arrested Richard Paul Rodriguez, 34, on a murder charge.
Holbrook police said they believe Rodriguez forced Romero out of her home in Holbrook, violating an active order of protection against him.
Investigators have not determined why Rodriguez came to Huntington Beach, although they said he may have friends or family in the area.
Romero’s cause of death has not been released.
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