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Woman Found Dead On Ramp Between 5, 22 Freeways

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 51-year-old woman was found dead Sunday on the ramp connecting the 5 and 22 freeways, officials reported.

California Highway Patrol responded to a report at 2:44 a.m. that a pedestrian's body was found on the freeway transition in Santa Ana.

Santa Ana police detectives have identified the woman as Martha Rodezno, of Los Angeles.

Martha Rodezno
Martha Rodezno (credit: Santa Ana Police Department)

Investigators are treating the death as suspicious and say a preliminary review of the victim's injuries are not conducive to a high speed vehicle/pedestrian traffic collision.

The ramp was closed through the morning as police investigated the incident.

Santa Ana homicide detectives say that Rodezno was at a family function in the city of Mission Viejo shortly before her death, but for unknown reasons she was upset and left the function on foot.

She was last seen at Avery and I5 in Mission Viejo at midnight, investigators say.

It is unknown where she was between midnight to 2:40 a.m.

A joint investigation between CHP and Santa Ana Police Department homicide detectives is underway.

An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted this week.

Detectives do not yet know the cause of death or the circumstances that led to the victim's death.

Anyone with any information is asked to call SAPD at 714-245-8390.

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