Laguna Beach Police Investigating Death of Restaurant Worker Found in ‘Secluded Location’

Police in Laguna Beach, California, are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in a "secluded location."

A construction worker on Sunday discovered the body of Tatum Goodwin near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue. Homicide detectives found the “scene to be suspicious,” police said.

“We are saddened by this senseless act of violence. Our detectives are working diligently to bring the suspect(s) to justice,” Chief Jeff Calvert said in a statement. 

A GoFundMe launched by Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita's restaurant, identified Goodwin as the woman found Sunday. She worked at the restaurant as an assistant manager and “was a very hard working young lady and always kept a smile on her face,” Heredia said. 

Heredia said he wanted to raise money for a memorial for Goodwin. As of Tuesday night, nearly $14,000 had been donated. 

The restaurant owner told Los Angeles television station KTLA that Goodwin's body was discovered in an alley behind Carmelita's. Goodwin's friends told the outlet that the 27-year-old went to nearby Hennessey’s Tavern after work.

“She was taken from this world by someone evil,” said her sister Kaylee Goodwin. “And I will never feel or be okay. My world is shattered. My family is shattered. I’m grieving and it’s so hard to see life after this.”

Anyone with information about Goodwin’s death is asked to call police at 949-497-0369.