Woman, 22, Found Slain in Her Apartment

A leasing agent for an apartment complex was found murdered in her bedroom Monday afternoon, and police believe that her killer may have stolen her car.

A maintenance worker at the Windjammer Apartments, 7701 Warner Ave., found Lena M. Forbes, 21, in her apartment at 1:30 p.m. after she failed to show up for work at the office, Police Lt. Ed McErlain said.

Forbes’ white, four-door, 1986 Hyundai with license plate number 1SEL633 was missing and “may have been taken by the suspect or suspects,” McErlain said.

The cause of death has not been determined and an autopsy is scheduled for today.

Monday afternoon, as investigators were questioning tenants, neighbors gathered outside and quietly talked about Forbes, who they said was “very helpful” during the six months she worked at the large apartment complex.

“She really was a nice person,” said Betsy Carmona, 34. “When I needed something done, I would go to her and she would get the problem solved.”

Tenants also talked about how the slaying affected the otherwise quiet apartment complex.

“I’ve lived here seven years and I’ve never had any problems, and nothing like this has ever happened before,” Carmona said.

Anyone with information concerning Forbes’ death is asked to contact Detective Richard Hooper at (714) 960-8811.