The gruesome discovery of a woman’s torso in a dumpster led detectives to a home in Tarzana Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
A man scavenging for recyclables discovered the woman’s remains at about 6:15 a.m. in a parking lot near Ventura Boulevard and Rubio Avenue in nearby Encino.
“Officers responded and they were able to verify that there were human remains inside a black [plastic] bag,” said LAPD homicide detective Efren Guttierez.
Only a torso was found with no other body parts. The black bag had been placed inside a duffel bag and tossed into the dumpster, police said.
“If a murder suspect is dismembering a body, it’s to delay identification,” said Guttierez.
Later in the day, detectives were seen at a home in the 4100 block of Coldstream Terrace, roughly five miles from where the victim’s remains were discovered. Authorities did not disclose what evidence, if any, had been collected.
Police believe the woman was killed sometime within the past few days. Her identity was not immediately known and, earlier in the day, police were still soliciting tips and hoping surveillance video would help solve the case.
“I would encourage anybody if they have any missing family member, a missing loved one or a [missing] co-worker, to contact LAPD,” Guttierez said.