Victim Found Burned to Death in El Monte Transient Camp Fire Sunday

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Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

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EL MONTE - A victim was found burned beyond recognition in a transient camp fire near the El Monte Station Sunday morning.

It is unclear if the fire was accidental or intentional. El Monte detectives are investigating along with Los Angeles County Fire arson investigators and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, according to Detective Sergeant Richard Luna of the El Monte Police Department.

The camp fire was reported at 3:01 a.m. September 9 in an empty field flanked by trees about 300 yards east of the El Monte Station, nestled between the I-10 freeway and the  Metrolink railroad tracks.

The fire was extinguished but no body was found at the time, Luna said.

A transient concerned about the well-being of a woman who frequented the camp asked for help in searching the area, Luna said.

Los Angeles County Firefighters responded back to the location, close to 10166 Olney St., around 10:48 a.m., searched the burned wreck and found an unrecognizable body.

“A lot of transients hang out in the area,” Luna said. “Its not uncommon for transients to live in the vacant lot.”

El Monte detectives are waiting for investigations from the Coroner and Los Angeles County Fire arson investigators to determine how the victim died.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators were called as a matter of protocol, but are not investigating the death yet, Luna said.