LAGUNA BEACH, CA – Authorities in Laguna Beach have launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of a young woman’s body in a remote location over the past weekend. The woman was identified as Tatum Lee Goodwin, a 27-year-old resident of San Clemente.
Goodwin’s body was found on Ocean Avenue near Coast Highway by a construction worker on Sunday morning, as per the city officials. Goodwin’s car was parked a short distance away, behind Carmelita’s Restaurant, where she was employed as an assistant manager.
Marcos Heredia, the owner of Carmelita’s, spoke highly of Goodwin. He described her as a well-liked individual who had a significant presence. Friends of Goodwin revealed that they had taken her keys on Saturday night after she had been out drinking at Hennessey’s Tavern and the Marine Room Tavern, following her shift at Carmelita’s.
The following morning, Goodwin’s body was discovered in an alley within a construction zone behind Carmelita’s. Michael Gaspar, a manager at a nearby restaurant, expressed concern over the safety of employees in light of Goodwin’s death. Gaspar recalled an incident on the same Saturday night where a man displayed aggressive behavior in the parking lot where Goodwin’s car was parked.
While the specifics of Goodwin’s condition at the time of discovery remain undisclosed, authorities have deemed the circumstances surrounding her death suspicious. The city urges anyone with information to contact detectives at (949) 497-0369. In honor of Goodwin, a GoFundMe page has been set up by the owner of Carmelita’s Restaurants to cover the costs of her memorial service and to establish a city memorial.