The prime suspect in the suspicious death of a 27-year-old California woman has been arrested.
Tatum Goodwin’s body, which showed signs of trauma consistent with homicide, was found by a construction worker Sunday around 8.20am.
The San Clemente woman was discovered in an alleyway behind Carmelita’s restaurant in Laguna Beach, where she had worked as an assistant manager for four years.
On November 15, 26-year-old Dino Rojas-Moreno was arrested in connection with Goodwin’s death.
‘This arrest was the result of outstanding police work by our Investigations team that worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to Tatum Goodwin and her family,’ Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a release.
Dino Rojas-Moreno, 26, was arrested Wednesday in connection to the suspicious death of Tatum Goodwin, 27
The San Clemente native’s body was discovered in an alleyway just feet away from Carmelita’s restaurant, where she worked as an assistant manager for four years
Rojas-Moreno is a bartender who worked at trendy spots including Blossoms & Brass in Costa Mesa. It is unclear if he and Goodwin knew each other
Rojas-Moreno is being held on $1 million bail.
The 26-year-old is local to the area. After graduating Mission Viejo High School he became a bartender, working at trendy restaurants including Blossoms & Brass in Costa Mesa.
On LinkedIn, Rojas-Moreno described himself as ‘a detail-oriented professional who has been consistently praised as hard-working by my co-workers and management.’
Authorities believe the homicide was an isolated incident.
However, they declined to provide a motive for the killing or share whether Rojas-Moreno and Goodwin knew each other.
Hundreds descended on the San Clemente Pier Wednesday night to honor Goodwin, who was described as kind and generous by people who knew her.
‘Her light shined so bright that it impacted so many different people,’ Goodwin’s sister, Kaylee, said.
Kaylee posted on Facebook after the event, thanking those who attended and adding that the experience wasn’t easy for her.
‘We are going through so many emotions and getting such important news while we were there. Had me frozen in emotions. And so much anger and hurt,’ she wrote.
‘And if I didn’t see you when I was there I’m sorry. I don’t know, I felt frozen in time. And like I wasn’t really there.’
Goodwin’s best friend, Madison Moyer (left), described her as her ‘soulmate’ and ‘other half’
The 27-year-old was fondly recalled by Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita’s Restaurants, who considered her a ‘family member’
Goodwin’s body was found at around 8.20am Sunday, hours after she’d visited a bar with her friends
Rojas-Moreno is being held on $1 million bail. Authorities have yet to provide a motive for the killing
Goodwin left work Saturday night and met up with friends at Hennessey’s Tavern nearby and later at the Marine Room.
She was found dead the following day, mere feet from her workplace.
Madison Moyer, Goodwin best friends, was among those who attended the candlelight vigil.
She described the slain 27-year-old as her ‘soulmate, best friend, other half’ and ‘the person who brought me peace when I couldn’t find it myself.’
Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita’s Restaurants, left a message on a GoFundMe campaign organized by Goodwin’s sister.
‘I have had the great pleasure to have Tatum as our assistant manager, friend, and family member in our business for 4 years,’ he wrote.
He recalled Goodwin as someone who ‘always kept a smile on her face.’
The campaign seeks funding for her memorial services and the creation of a memorial in Laguna Beach.
It has raised over $27,000, exceeding its $20,000 goal.
‘We are still in disbelief and we don’t want her to go unforgotten,’ Heredia wrote.