The body of a 3-year-old girl found at a recycling plant in California’s Bay Area was murdered by her father shortly before he committed suicide, police confirmed. On Tuesday, July 16, the San Jose Police Department identified Jared Lorenzo of Fremont, California, as the man who killed his daughter, Ellie Obi Lorenzo.
According to police, Ellie’s mother reported Ellie disappeared in Fremont on Friday, July 12, after learning that Jared Lorenzo had been found dead in San Francisco. A day later, Ellie’s body was discovered at a recycling plant in San Jose.
In their July 16 update, police said Ellie was last seen alive with her father on the evening of Thursday, July 11, at a residence in Fremont. The couple then went to Lorenzo’s apartment, also in Fremont. Around 6:00 a.m. the next morning, Lorenzo left his apartment and drove to San Jose, where he dumped Ellie’s body in a dumpster.
Police said the dumpster was emptied and Ellie’s body was unwittingly taken to another facility. An employee discovered the body in the processing area on July 13 around 4:30 a.m. and alerted authorities.
Investigators found evidence suggesting Lorenzo drove to several neighboring Bay Area cities before arriving in San Francisco. He was found dead of an apparent suicide shortly after 11:00 a.m. on July 12. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office officially identified Ellie’s body on Monday, July 15. The cause and manner of her death are still under investigation and will be determined by the coroner after a medical examination.
“The motive and circumstances are still under investigation,” police said in the news release, noting that the case is being handled by the SJPD Homicide Unit.
According to a Facebook post According to the Fremont Police Department, Jared Lorenzo and Ellie’s mother, Chrystal Obi, had reached a custody agreement. Ellie was supposed to return to her mother’s care after spending time with her father.
Chrystal Obi expressed her pain to NBC Bay Area After learning of her daughter’s death, she remembered Ellie for her “intelligent and curious mind, her big smile and her warm and loving heart.”
“Ellie’s life was filled with people who loved her dearly and she will be missed beyond what words can explain,” Obi said. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department’s Homicide Unit.