LAGUNA BEACH, CA – A woman was discovered dead in an alleyway in Laguna Beach, brutally beaten over the weekend. Laguna Beach Police arrived at the scene located in the 200 block of Ocean Avenue across the beach after receiving a call from a construction worker.
Though her official identification by the Orange County coroner is pending, friends and family have identified her as Tatum Goodwin on social media and a GoFundMe page. Goodwin, lovingly remembered as a devoted dog mom and daughter, had a strong bond with her mother.
Her employer, Marcos Salim Heredia, owner of Carmelita’s Restaurants, described Goodwin as a hard-working and cheerful woman in the GoFundMe page set up in her honor. Heredia plans to erect a memorial in Laguna to keep Goodwin’s memory alive.
The Laguna Beach Police Department is investigating the case as a homicide. They expressed their grief over the violent demise and assured the public of their commitment to finding and prosecuting the perpetrators involved in the case.
Hennessey’s Tavern, where Goodwin was a regular, mourned her loss and encouraged its community to share any information on the case. Goodwin’s sister expressed despair over the senseless act of violence, stating it had left her family distraught.
Locals reported that Goodwin was last seen on Saturday night at Hennessey’s Tavern and the Marine Room. Following the sounds of distressing screams at around 2 a.m, her severely beaten body was discovered by a construction worker in an alleyway the next morning.
Authorities urge individuals remitting crucial information on the incident to contact Detective Tanner Flagstad. Tip-offs can also be kept anonymous through contacting Orange County Crime Stoppers.