Death of Whittier Woman, 34, Probed; Body Found in El Toro

A Whittier housewife reported missing from her home earlier in the day was found beaten and stabbed to death in a new housing tract in El Toro on Friday night, a sheriff’s spokesman reported Saturday.

Lt. Larry Khune said that Roxanne Brown, 34, was found at 7:35 p.m. by a couple looking at the housing tract at the intersection of Old El Toro Road and Midcrest Drive. She had been reported missing from her home at 3:15 p.m. by her husband, Ronald Brown, Whittier police confirmed.

A Whittier police spokesman said the victim was last heard from at 2:30 p.m. when she talked to a friend on the telephone. He also said there was evidence that “a mild struggle” had occurred at the home, suggesting the woman was abducted before she was killed.

“She was bludgeoned to death,” Khune said. “Apparently, it happened really quick (after she was reported missing). We have made no arrests and we have no suspects right now.”

The sheriff’s spokesman also said that investigators had not determined if the woman was murdered elsewhere and the body dumped at the housing tract.

Although an autopsy had not been completed as of late Saturday, a coroner’s office spokesman said the woman had suffered multiple stab wounds.

“She also appears to have other wounds, but we haven’t been able to determine how they were caused. We should know that when the autopsy is completed,” the spokesman said.