Updated as of 7/18/2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET
The last place California Bay Area police left off in the investigation behind the death of 3-year-old Ellie Lorenzo was eyeing a potential person of interest. Now, they have the full story behind the sudden tragedy.
Ellie’s father, Jared Lorenzo, was identified as the toddler’s suspected killer, according to the San Jose Police Department. Her mother, Chrystal Obi, told authorities the potential motive behind the killing could have been Lorenzo finding out she was planning to move with her daughter to the San Francisco Bay Area, per KRON4.
According to their custody agreement, the court notified him it would be one of his last visits with their daughter, the report says. Therefore, he allegedly killed his daughter and himself out of emotional anguish, Ellie’s mother claimed.
“Ellie was last seen alive with her father, suspect Jared Lorenzo, at a residence in the city of Fremont on the evening of July 11, 2024. On July 12, 2024, detectives discovered that suspect Lorenzo left his Fremont apartment just after 6 a.m. and drove to the city of San Jose where he removed Ellie’s body from the trunk of his vehicle and disposed of her in a trash receptacle,” according to a statement from the SJPD.
The Santa Clara County coroner told the outlet the toddler died from craniocerebral injuries due to blunt force head trauma before being left at a recycling facility. On Tuesday, officials confirmed Lorenzo died by suicide by jumping off a building the morning Ellie was reported missing, per KTVU.
The Mystery Behind the Alleged Murder
Last week, California Bay Area authorities embarked on a frantic search for Ellie, whose last known location was in the custody of her father. However, police found him dead.
Authorities with the Fremont Police Department said Chrystal Obi called them asking for a welfare check at Jared’s apartment last Thursday where her 3-year-old daughter, Ellie, was seen last.
Lorenzo was supposed to return the girl that evening according to their custody agreement, police said. Authorities also said Obi’s call came after she learned Jared had been found dead in San Francisco and that her daughter was not with him.
When police went to search Lorenzo’s apartment back in Fremont, they said the girl was not found there either. Police later confirmed Lorenzo’s death but shared little to no details on his cause and manner of death at the time.
The focus quickly turned on finding baby Ellie. A Missing Child report from the department was released, describing her as an African American girl, 3 feet tall and 60 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
“Yeah, this is not a normal sort of call. It’s terrifying, it’s frightening for certainly the family, for all of us in law enforcement,” said Sgt. Kim McDonald previously in a press briefing Friday.
However, Saturday morning, the Fremont PD said they were contacted by San Jose officials about a deceased juvenile female resembling the description of baby Ellie. Authorities said her remains were found dumped among bottles and cans at the GreenWaste recycling plant. Police then sought a homicide suspect, believing Ellie’s deceased father was a primary person of interest.
Obi told NBC Bay Area she was thankful to everyone who aided in the search for her daughter but is left heartbroken at the loss.
“She was the most charming, funny, smart, friendly little girl. She 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,” she told reporters.