Calif. Dad Killed His 3-Year-Old Daughter and Dumped Body in Trash Before Dying by Suicide
Ellie Obi was remembered by her mother for her "smart and curious mind, her big smile, and her warm, loving heart"
Fremont Police Dept.,San Jose Police Dept.
Ellie Obi Lorenzo and Jared Lorenzo, per the San Jose Police Dept.A 3-year-old girl whose body was found at a recycling facility in California's Bay Area was killed by her father shortly before he died by suicide, police said.
On Tuesday, July 16, the San José Police Department announced in a press release that they had identified Fremont, Calif., man Jared Lorenzo as the man who killed his 3-year-old daughter Ellie Obi Lorenzo.
According to police, the toddler was reported missing by her mother in Fremont on Friday, July 12, after she learned the girl’s father was found dead in San Francisco. Just one day after her mother reported her missing, Ellie was found dead at a recycling facility in nearby San José, police added.
In their July 16 update, police noted that Ellie was last seen alive when she was with Lorenzo on the evening of Thursday, July 11, "at a residence in the city of Fremont." The pair drove to Lorenzo's apartment, also in Fremont, later that night. At around 6:00 a.m. the following morning, Lorenzo left his apartment and drove to San José, where took he took Ellie's body out of the trunk of his car and dumped her in a trash receptacle, police said.
San Jose Police Dept.
Ellie Obi Lorenzo, in a photo provided by police.According to police, the trash bin was emptied and Ellie's body was unknowingly transferred to another facility, where an employee called police to report finding a body in the processing area of the facility on July 13 at around 4:30 a.m.
Police also added that they have "further evidence" to suggest Lorenzo drove to several neighboring Bay Area cities before finally arriving in San Francisco, where he was found dead just after 11:00 a.m. on July 12 from an apparent suicide.
The Santa Clara County Coroner's Office officially identified the body as Ellie's on Monday, July 15, and police added in the press release that her cause and manner of death are still under investigation, and will be eventually be determined by the coroner after a medical examination.
"The motive and circumstances are still under investigation," police added in the press release, noting that the case is being handled by the SJPD Homicide Unit.
According to a Facebook post from the Fremont Police Department shared soon after Ellie was reported missing, Lorenzo and the 3-year-old's mother, Chrystal Obi, had a custody agreement together and Ellie was supposed to go back to her mother's after being in her father’s custody.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Obi told NBC Bay Area she was "heartbroken" after learning of her daughter’s death, and added that her toddler will be remembered for her "smart and curious mind, her big smile, and her warm, loving heart."
"Ellie’s life was full of so many people who loved her so much and will miss her beyond words can explain," Obi added, per the outlet.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the San José Police Department’s Homicide Unit.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
