Man Jailed After Woman’s Body Found in Dana Point

A park ranger found the body of a woman at Doheny Park early Saturday, and police arrested a family member in San Diego in connection with her death.

Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Rohn said investigators believe the woman was killed somewhere else, then dragged behind a garbage bin near the park’s north picnic area.

Her body was discovered about 8:20 a.m.

“We don’t have a name on her yet, but we have a suspect in custody in San Diego,” Rohn said. The man’s name was not released.

Police arrested the suspect after stopping him in connection with an unrelated robbery.

“His appearance betrayed his participation in something a little different than the robbery,” Rohn said.

Witnesses said the man and the woman, who was dressed in a red sweater, were arguing in Irvine between midnight and 4 a.m. Saturday. The man then either abducted the woman or persuaded her to get into a car, and they drove south.

Somewhere between Irvine and Dana Point, police said, the man killed the woman and tried to dispose of her body.

Rohn said San Diego police were transporting the suspect back to Orange County on Saturday.