Police have revealed that a body found last week on the bank of the Los Angeles River in Long Beach was that of a 17-year-old Santa Monica girl whose death is being investigated as a possible drug overdose.
Leslie Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene just south of the Ocean Boulevard Bridge, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
Authorities found her remains after receiving a call around 1:30 a.m. Thursday about a person spotted on the rocks along the river. She had no visible signs of trauma and was fully clothed when she was found.
“Based on the initial results of the investigation, which includes the preliminary findings of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, this case is being investigated as a possible drug overdose,” according to a police statement.
Detectives continue to investigate why the teenager’s remains were at that location.
Anyone with information regarding the death was urged to call LBPD detectives Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.
— City News Service