Santa Monica teen identified as body found near LA River
Stock photo of LA River at Long Beach.
The body found on the bank of the Los Angeles River in Long Beach the week before has now been identified by police as a Santa Monica teenager.
17-year-old Leslie Hernandez's body was found on Thursday at around 1:30 A.M where West Ocean Boulevard crosses above the river. Although the police originally believed the body to be a woman in her 30s, the Long Beach Police Department has confirmed that it is Hernandez.
The case is being treated as a possible drug overdose. There were no signs of trauma, but an official cause of death has not yet been reported by the coroner's office.
According to a witness, the body was dumped out of an SUV. Police have not confirmed the witness's account, but authorities have admitted to pulling over an SUV near the 710 and 91 freeway and interviewing the passengers. No arrest was made.
Any information on the death of Leslie Hernandez can be shared with Long Beach Police Department detectives, Donald Goodman and Mark Mattia at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips can be reported at (800) 222-TIPS.
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