LAPD Reports No Connections In 4 East LA Murders
LINCOLN HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Police Department said Monday there are no connections between four murders in East Los Angeles, where women were killed and dumped in close proximity.
A 54-year-old woman was found stabbed to death Sunday in the industrial section of Boyle Heights at Sixth and Rio streets.
Detectives believe the transient victim was killed at the scene.
Police said she dabbled in drugs and prostitution.
"We have no next of kin here in Los Angeles. She has an extensive rap sheet with over 80 arrests for narcotic and prostitution related crimes," said Det. Joe Rios.
The woman's death comes on the heels of three unsolved murders in the area.
In January, 22-year-old Bree'ana Guzman was found dead near the Glendale Freeway, off Riverside Drive in Silver Lake.
Investigators said her body was decomposed and believe she had trauma to the neck.
In April, the body of Michelle Lozano, 17, of Boyle Heights was found next to a freeway in Lincoln Heights. She was strangled to death.
Maria Castaneda, 24, was found dead in July in a remote area of Vernon.
While there was speculation of a serial killer, the LAPD said there is no connection between the murders.
"We don't believe there are any ties whatsoever," said Rios.
Rios said they're turning to the public for more leads.
"Although (the cases) will never be closed, it's inactive pending more leads," he said.
