An investigation was underway Thursday after two people were found dead at a homelessness encampment in the Westlake District, including a woman whose body had been partially mauled by dogs.
The Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner identified the woman as 46-year-old Lucrecia Macias Barajas, who died Monday.
Barajas’ body was found inside a tent, and the man’s body was discovered nearby at an encampment along Huntley Circle, just west of the Harbor (110) Freeway, according to KTLA5.
CBS 2 reported Barajas was an Army veteran and the mother of six.
The tent had been locked from the inside, and family members who were unable to reach her tore open the tarp and discovered Barajas’ body, KTLA reported.
KTLA reported one of the Barajas’ daughters came to the scene and appeared distraught after learning of her mother’s death.
The man’s has not been identified.
“This case reinforces our urgent need to address this grave humanitarian crisis. We will continue collaborating with the council office to bring more Angelenos inside and do all that we can to improve public safety, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement to KTLA.
The cause of death of both victims remains under investigation.