Dino Rojas-Moreno allegedly brutally killed Tatum Goodwin
Grim new particulars have emerged within the homicide of a beloved younger lady who was killed final weekend in Laguna Seaside, California.
Tatum Goodwin was solely 27 years previous when she was killed round 1 a.m. final Sunday — steps away from the restaurant the place she labored for the previous 4 years — after leaving one in every of her favourite bars.
On Friday, Dino Fabrizio Rojas-Moreno, 26, was formally charged by Orange County prosecutors with a particular circumstance — a function of legislation akin to a sentencing enhancement — of committing homicide within the fee of a kidnapping. He was additionally charged with one felony enhancement of non-public use of a lethal weapon.
He was arrested on homicide expenses on Wednesday.
“She was a ‘bring-you-Carl’s-Jr-to-work-and-sit-with-you-while-you’re-stuck-working-on-Thanksgiving’ good friend,” Goodwin’s greatest good friend, Madison Moyer, stated at a vigil held Wednesday night. “She was a ‘just-wants-to-spread-love-light-and-happiness’ good friend.”
Rojas-Moreno approached Goodwin in a downtown car parking zone and started attacking her close to her automobile, investigators allege, based on a prison criticism obtained by Fox West Coast flagship KTTV. After that, investigators say, he dragged her to the again of the car parking zone, down an alleyway, and to a secluded space behind a former movie show constructing that was beneath development.
There, Rojas-Moreno allegedly beat Goodwin to loss of life with a fireplace extinguisher, prosecutors allege. When Goodwin’s physique was discovered, a sandbag was protecting her head, based on legislation enforcement.
Left: Tatum Goodwin (by way of Instagram); Proper: Dino Rojas-Moreno (Laguna Seaside Police Division)
As Legislation&Crime beforehand reported, social media profiles prompt a person utilizing an abbreviated iteration of the suspect’s identify labored at quite a few bars and eating places all through Orange County.
On Friday, ABC West Coast flagship KABC confirmed that Rojas-Moreno labored as a bartender within the space. On the day of the slaying, he didn’t present up for work, based on KTTV.
Each legislation enforcement and the sufferer’s household are not sure whether or not the alleged killer knew Goodwin earlier than the night time in query.
Three separate businesses arrested Rojas-Moreno in Laguna Hills. He’s being detained with out bail. His arraignment is slated for Nov. 20 on the Central Justice Heart in Santa Ana.
Till Friday, particulars in regards to the incident had been scarce.
However the void left by the loss has been obvious.
Goodwin labored as an assistant supervisor at Carmelita’s, a Mexican restaurant on Broadway in downtown Laguna Seaside. She was all however thought of a “member of the family” by the eatery’s proprietor, Michael Heredia. After work on Saturday night time, Goodwin went out for drinks at close by Hennessey’s Tavern.
“For me, it wasn’t simply dropping a good friend. It’s clearly nearly dropping a member of the family,” Heredia advised The CW West Coast flagship KTLA. “I knew that she all the time had my again, and I all the time had her again additionally when she wanted issues.”
The restaurateur organized a GoFundMe to construct a everlasting memorial downtown — and to assist her household with funeral bills.
Earlier this week, some 300 family and friends gathered within the rain on the finish of the San Clemente Pier, roughly 30 miles south of downtown Laguna Seaside, for a candlelight vigil the place flowers, speeches, and tears commemorated the loss.
“I see you in completely every thing,” Moyer stated there. “I hate that you simply advised me you felt like your life was simply getting began, and for the primary time, you lastly felt such as you had been starting to have this life factor down. I’ll by no means get better from this, however I’ll do my greatest to hold your legacy of affection with everybody as a result of I do know that’s what you’d need.”
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