Investigation Continues Into Deaths Of 2 Women Found In Montecito Heights Park

MONTECITO HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives continued to investigate the deaths of two women Thursday who were found in a park in Montecito Heights.

The bodies were discovered around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, located in the area of Mercury and Boundary avenues near a hiking trail on a brushy hillside in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities said the women, who are believed to be between the ages of 18 to 25-years-old, were found fully clothed. Detectives do not believe they were sexually assaulted based on the way they were dressed. However, that will be confirmed once autopsies are conducted.

According to police, the bodies had not been at the location for very long before they were discovered by a woman who walked her dog in the park.

The bodies were found less than 30 feet off a main path of a hiking trail.

A preliminary investigation revealed the women appeared to have both been beaten to death.

One of the victims was identified by the coroner's office today as 19-year-old Gabriela Calzada. The coroner reported that the second victim's name was being withheld as part of a security hold.

CBS2's Kara Finnstrom reported detectives are closely guarding evidence they have.

Police have released a sketch of a man who flashed several woman, one of whom he threatened with a knife last year.

Authorities are investigating whether the deaths are connected to this suspect in any way.

No arrests have been made.

On Thursday evening, meanwhile, KCAL9's Brittney Hopper said friends of Calzada's expressed their grief and memories on Facebook.

She was on a missing person's flyer that was first circulated Tuesday, the last time Calzada was seen by friends or family.

Police are investigating whether the homicides are drug or gang-related.