Father Kills 3-Year-Old Daughter Before Dying by Suicide, Police Say
(SAN JOSE POLICE DEPT.)
The body of a 3-year-old girl found at a recycling facility in California’s Bay Area was killed by her father shortly before he died by suicide, police confirmed. On Tuesday, July 16, the San José Police Department identified Jared Lorenzo from Fremont, Calif., as the man who killed his daughter, Ellie Obi Lorenzo.
According to the police, Ellie’s mother reported her missing in Fremont on Friday, July 12, after learning that Jared Lorenzo was found dead in San Francisco. A day later, Ellie’s body was discovered at a recycling facility in San José.
In their July 16 update, police stated that Ellie was last seen alive with her father on the evening of Thursday, July 11, at a residence in Fremont. The pair 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 José, where he dumped Ellie’s body in a trash receptacle.
Police explained that the trash bin was emptied, and Ellie’s body was unknowingly transferred to another facility. An employee discovered the body in the processing area on July 13 at around 4:30 a.m. and alerted the authorities.
Investigators found evidence suggesting that Lorenzo drove to several neighboring Bay Area cities before arriving in San Francisco. He was found dead from an apparent suicide just 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 stated 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, Jared Lorenzo and Ellie’s mother, Chrystal Obi, had a custody agreement. Ellie was supposed to return to her mother’s care after spending time with her father.
Chrystal Obi expressed her heartbreak to NBC Bay Area after learning of her daughter’s death, remembering Ellie 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 said. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the San José Police Department’s Homicide Unit.
