Crime & Safety

VIDEO: Chatsworth Homicide Victim May Have Been Found in a Freezer

She fought for her life. Her body showed defensive wounds, police said.

A 32-year-old in a ramshackle Chatsworth bungalow was a homicide victim, and the man who called 911 has been arrested, police said Friday.

Patch received unconfirmed reports as early as Thursday evening that her body was found in a freezer. And Friday, an email to Patch from a woman claiming to be the victim's sister sought details about the body in a freezer. A police spokesman declined to verify the reports for Patch. Meanwhile, other media are now broadcasting similar stories.

The victim fought for her life. Police said the victim had defensive wounds on her body, but would not elaborate.

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"We've talked to numerous individuals. We've gained a lot of physical evidence. And we've concluded that this is a homicide investigation," LAPD Devonshire Division Captain Kris Pitcher told reporters.

Meanwhile, cadaver dogs scoured the seven-acre rural property on the 19800 block of Old Santa Susana Pass Road, searching for more bodies. Police were suspicious because there were mounds of freshly turned dirt. The dogs failed to find anything.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"She was found deceased in one of the outbuildings," Pitcher said. "It is a bungalow type residence. There are many of those on the property."

"The man who called 911 is now the man who was detained and is now being arrested and will be charged with the murder," Pitcher said.

The woman claiming to be the victim's sister told Patch in an email that the victim had only been living with the suspect, a 70-year-old man, for about two weeks and that drugs were involved. She complained that her mother was not allowed to identify the body. However, police declined to release any additional information including the victim's name or that of the suspect.

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