Man Arrested in Death of Woman, 27, Found Severely Beaten in Laguna Beach Alleyway

California authorities have arrested a suspect in the death of Tatum Goodwin, a beloved restaurant worker in Laguna Beach. 

Laguna Beach police on Thursday announced the arrest of Dino Rojas-Moreno, 26, who was charged with Goodwin’s murder. Goodwin, 27, was found Sunday by a construction worker in a secluded location near the 200 block of Ocean Avenue. 

“This arrest was the result of outstanding police work by our Investigations team that worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to Tatum Goodwin and her family,” Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a statement. 

Police haven’t released a motive in Goodwin’s killing. 

Goodwin, of San Clemente, had left her shift at Carmelita's restaurant, where she worked as an assistant manager, Saturday night to visit Hennessey’s Tavern and then the Marine Room bar, the New York Post reported.

Her body was found Sunday morning in the alleyway behind Carmelita's.

Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita's restaurant, said Goodwin “was a very hard working young lady and always kept a smile on her face.” He launched a GoFundMe to pay for a memorial to honor Goodwin; the online fundraiser had raised over $27,000 as of Thursday. 

“My baby sister didn’t deserve any of this,” said Goodwin’s sister, Kaylee Goodwin. 

Rojas-Moreno is being held on a $1 million bail. It is unclear if he has an attorney.