HACIENDA HEIGHTS—A young girl’s body was found in a suitcase behind a bush near a trail with her head and torso partially out on Tuesday, March 5. The child was stuffed in a black medium size suitcase bare-footed.

Industry Station received a call for a rescue response at approximately 9:59 a.m. at the Hacienda Heights location regarding a found body unresponsive. The child was pronounced dead on scene.

Police Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Hoglund noted the body was dumped less than 48 hours prior to discovery by a parker worker, the girl is African-American between the ages of 7 and 10, standing about 4 feet and 5 inches tall and weighing 55 pounds.

Over one-hundred community members gather for a candlelight vigil,  where they held signs reading “Rest in Heaven Princess” at the entrance of trail. Decorations of stuffed animals, pink balloons, ribbons and flowers were displayed on the fence were she was found.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy Thursday, March 7, indicating the body showed no signs of trauma. Detectives later released the deceased to forensic medical examiners to determine an exact cause of death. Officials created a sketch to help identify the little girl.

A special bulletin was posted seeking any information from witnesses that might recognize the girl, who was clothed in a pink shirt that had “Future Princess Hero” written on it and paired with panda bear printed leggings. LASD homicide detectives suspect that the young girl’s body was left in the brush late Sunday night.

The body of a young girl was found behind a bush on Tuesday, March 5.

Former L.A. County Sheriff’s Sergeant Dan Scott, previously involved in child abuse and death investigations, explained during a press conference, “It is extremely rare to see a child’s body dumped, I cannot recall one in recent years in the region.”

The trail is a short drive into the hills south of Pomona Freeway, east of the 3400 block of Hacienda Boulevard stated in reports.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Written By Sanestina Huner and Aina Jankunas