Full Notification

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Investigators are announcing the arrest of Suspect Emiel Lamar Hunt, male Black 38 years-old, for the murder of Victim Trinity Love Jones.  

From the onset of the investigation, Homicide Investigators worked tirelessly to identify the victim, review evidence and conduct interviews in furtherance of hundreds of tips received from the community.  Investigators identified Emiel Hunt as a person of interest and began focusing on his whereabouts. 

During the early morning hours on Saturday, March 9, 2019, investigators located Emiel Hunt sleeping in his vehicle, which was parked in a lot near San Diego International Airport.  He was arrested without incident and booked at Norwalk Sheriff’s Station.  Emiel Hunt is reportedly the boyfriend of Trinity's mother, and was recently a Los Angeles County resident.

On Monday, March 11, 2019, investigators submitted their case for review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Pomona Court.  On Tuesaday, March 12, 2019, one count of murder with a 2,000,000 bail was filed on Emiel Lamar Hunt for the murder of Trinity Love Jones.  Suspect Hunt is scheduled to be arraigned later this afternoon. 

Information regarding the second person of interest is being withheld pending further investigation.  The homicide investigation is ongoing.
Investigators anticipate releasing additional case information as more  facts are established and verified. 

The March 9, 2019, booking photograph of Suspect Emiel Lamar Hunt is attached. If you believe you have any additional information regarding this case, you are encouraged to contact investigators at Homicide Bureau 323-890-5500. 

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s Station.  If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), or use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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3rd UPDATED PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS (3/10/19):

Due to the overwhelming response from the news media and tips received from the public, investigators have identified the deceased child discovered on March 5, 2019, along an equestrian trail in the 3400/3500 block of Hacienda Boulevard in unincorporated Hacienda Heights.

Today, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner- Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the victim as Trinity Love Jones, female Black 9 years-old, a resident of Los Angeles County.  Although the Coroner’s Office determined the death to be a homicide, the cause of death is being withheld.

Investigators have detained two persons of interest in this case and they are actively continuing their investigation.

As additional facts are established and verified, investigators anticipate that additional information will be available for release during a press conference later in the week.

A photograph of the victim, and the sketch released at the press conference on March 6, 2019, are attached to this press release.

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2nd UPDATED PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS (3/6/19): 

#LA Sheriff's Seek to ID Girl Found Dead in Duffle Bag Near Hiking Trail -Composite Sketch Rlsd- Uninc Hacienda Hts
 
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Homicide Investigators released a composite sketch of a young girl found dead near a trail in the Unincorporated area of Hacienda Heights on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at approximately 10:00 A.M.  

The young girl was discovered down an embankment just south of Colima Road east of Hacienda Boulevard. The victim’s body was dumped at the location in between the evening hours on Sunday March 3, 2019 and discovered at 10:00 A.M. on March 5, 2019 by Los Angeles County workers who were conducting maintenance on an equestrian trail.

The victim was found partially inside a black rollaway type duffle bag, similar to the one pictured, where her upper body was seen protruding. Although preliminary investigation initially led investigators to believe the victim was between the ages of seven and 10 years, further investigation with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner determined the victim was a Black female between the ages of eight and 13. The young girl was found to be wearing a pink, long sleeve shirt with gray panda print pants (actual clothing depicted).  She stood approximately four feet, five inches tall and weighed about 55 pounds. No obvious signs of trauma were found on the victim’s body.

Sheriff Villanueva stated, “Investigators will spare no efforts to find out what happened.”

At this time, the incident is being ruled as a suspicious death. Manner and cause of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner at a later date. The motive remains unknown.     

“It’s a horrible tragic case our investigators are working diligently on to solve,” stated Homicide Lt. Hoglund.

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UPDATED PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau investigators are continuing to investigate the death of a child near the hiking trail South of Hacienda Boulevard and Glenmark Drive in Hacienda Heights. 

Industry Station received a call for a rescue response at approximately 9:59 a.m. at the Hacienda Heights location regarding a found body unresponsive. The child was pronounced dead on scene. Investigators believe the body was left at the location over 24 hours ago. 

The unidentified Black child is approximately 7-10 years-old. Investigators are awaiting the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner to determine the gender and identity of the child, as well as the cause of death. 

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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE IS AS FOLLOWS (3/5/19):

DATE:  Tuesday, March 5, 2019

TIME:  10:35 AM
  
LOCATION:  Hiking Trail South of Hacienda Boulevard and Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights

VICTIM:  Unknown
              
SUSPECT(S):  Unknown

UNIT:  LASD Homicide – Lt. Hoglund
 
 
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives are responding to a hiking trail South of Hacienda Boulevard and Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a person.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
 
Authored by:
Michelle Sanchez, Deputy
Sheriff's Information Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles California 90012
213-229-1700
 
Website: http://www.lasd.org
 
 
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department