CHP releases details of murder investigation that led to east 10 Freeway closure in El Monte

The California Highway Patrol released more details about the murder investigation Tuesday that forced the closure of the eastbound lanes of the 10 Freeway in El Monte.

According to CHP officials, a tow truck driver saw a white Chevy Malibu on the shoulder of the freeway, east of Peck Road, and pulled to the side to assist the driver. When the tow truck driver approached the vehicle he saw a woman who appeared to be unconscious and called 911.

When CHP officers arrived at the location they learned the driver, whom they only described as a female in her mid-30s, had been shot in right side of the head, according to CHP Officer Chris Baldonado. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. No gun was recovered.

A SigAlert was issued about 4:30 a.m. in the freeway’s far right lane as CHP conducted the murder investigation and later extended the closure to include all eastbound lanes. Westbound lanes remained open.

Two of the eastbound lanes were reopened about 11:45 a.m., and the remaining three lanes were reopened later at 1:30 p.m. after the investigation concluded.

Television images earlier showed CHP officers huddled near a white car parked along the shoulder of the freeway. The windshield was draped with a yellow tarp.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA

ruben.vives@latimes.com

Twitter: latvives

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UPDATES:

4:50 p.m.: This article was updated with new information about the murder investigation.

2:15 p.m.: This article was updated with the reopening of all freeway lanes.

1 p.m.: This article was updated with the reopening of two freeway lanes.

This article was originally published at 8 a.m.