Homicide ruled in death of girl found in duffel bag near Hacienda Heights trail

The death of the girl whose body was found near a horse and hiking trail in Hacienda Heights was ruled a homicide, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced Friday, March 8.

The case was previously considered a suspicious death investigation. The girl’s identity remains unknown.

The Sheriff’s Information Bureau received a call at about 8:30 p.m. from the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, who notified the bureau about the change in the status of the case, said Deputy Marvin Crowder.

He said the coroner did not disclose what led to the homicide designation. It is not known whether a full autopsy has been conducted to determine the cause of death. The girl’s coroner report was sealed from the public by homicide detectives.

The new ruling is a step toward what detectives and the public had already suspected since the girl’s body was found Tuesday: the girl was intentionally killed.

Her body was found partially stuffed inside a black roll-away duffel bag by county parks and recreation workers. She was described as black, 4-feet-5-inches tall, 55 pounds, and is believed to be 8 to 13 years old. When she was found, she was wearing a pink long sleeve with “Future Princess Hero” written on the front, and gray pants with panda patterns.