ANAHEIM : Body Discovered in Church Parking Lot

Authorities on Sunday were investigating the death of a Buena Park woman whose body was found in the parking lot of the Melodyland Christian Center.

Jeanne Annette Hays, 40, had suffered a “blunt force trauma” to the head and was found about 9:36 p.m. Saturday lying fully clothed in the southeast part of the Melodyland parking lot on 400 W. Freedman Way, said Police Lt. John Cross.

Police were called to the scene by a passer-by who reported seeing the woman’s body, police officials said. Police found the woman lying dead with a deep wound to her head. Cross said an autopsy is being conducted to ascertain exact cause of death. He said that no suspects are in custody and that a motive for the apparent killing has not been established.

The body was found while the Melodyland church was closed for the night. Church officials said they were not made aware of the death until early Sunday and added that they believed that it had no relation to the church. One church official who asked not to be named said that the parking lot adjoins a vacant lot and that it is possible the body was dumped.

Pastor Ralph Wilkerson announced news of the death to 2,000 congregation members attending 10:30 a.m. Easter services.

“There were a lot of gasps and people looking at each other,” said Melodyland usher Christopher Werrett.