Laguna Beach Police Arrest Suspect in Death of Tatum Goodwin

A file photo of law enforcement agencies working together in arresting a suspect barricaded in a home in Orange County, Calif., on Oct. 4, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.—A 26-year-old man suspected of killing a popular San Clemente woman in Laguna Beach was arrested Nov. 15.

Detectives from the Laguna Beach Police Department, along with detectives from the Newport Beach and Anaheim police departments, took Dino Rojas-Moreno into custody in Laguna Hills on suspicion of killing 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin.

Ms. Goodwin’s body was found by a construction worker in a secluded area on Nov. 12 near the 200 block of Ocean Ave.

“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,” said Laguna Beach Police Department Chief Jeff Calvert.

Ms. Goodwin was a popular assistant manager at Carmelita’s restaurant in Laguna Beach near the corner of Broadway and Coast Highway. The restaurant staff organized a fundraiser through the online site GoFundMe to benefit her family and a memorial with flowers and candles in her honor was created near the site where she was killed.

Mr. Rojas-Moreno’s bail was set at $1 million.

Anyone with information on this killing was asked to call Laguna Beach Police Department Detective Tanner Flagstad at 949-497-0369. Tipsters can also call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.