Body Wedged in Column Identified as Porn Film Star

The body found in a hollow brick column at a mobile park home last week was identified Wednesday as that of Deann Rochelle Gandeza, 27, who reportedly was a pornographic movie star who used the name Lei Lani in films.

On May 5, a maintenance worker discovered the body at Park Royale Mobile Home Park on Rampart Street.

Gandeza’s body was found two days after her sister in Lakewood reported her missing and about two weeks after anyone had seen her, Lt. Timm Browne said.

KCAL reported Wednesday that Gandeza starred in X-rated films, but details about her career weren’t known.

Detectives have not been able to determine the cause of death because the body was decomposed, but they have determined that the death was accidental, Browne said.

Gandeza, who had a history of mental illness, might have been in the attic crawl space of the park’s recreation building and accidentally fallen into the brick column, he said.

She had been staying at the mobile home park with friends after temporarily living in Lakewood with her sister, Browne said.

Gandeza’s family identified her body through clothing, jewelry and physical features, Deputy Coroner William King said. He declined to give further details.

Park manager Ralph Strickler said he did not know with whom Gandeza was staying at the complex, which has about 200 homes.

“Police told me she was (staying at the mobile home park), but I didn’t know anything about it or what happened to her,” Strickler said. “But I understand there was no foul play involved.”

Residents and employees at Park Royale had noticed a strange odor coming from the brick column for several days before the janitor was sent up to the attic, the only access to the column. He found Gandeza’s body head down in the hollow space.

Firefighters tore down the column to get the body out.