Coroner Says Woman Was Asphyxiated
A 33-year-old woman whose bound and gagged body was found in her Lancaster apartment earlier this week died from asphyxiation, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Thursday.
Biiiance Hawkins’ body was found Monday by a co-worker and relative who went to her home after she did not show up at Antelope Valley Hospital, where she was a registered nurse’s assistant.
Hawkins’ body was in the bedroom of her apartment, where officials said there were signs of a struggle. She also had a large gash across her neck, sheriff’s officials said.
Authorities said she may have been killed during the weekend. The last time anyone recalls seeing Hawkins was on Friday.
There are no suspects, but investigators believe Hawkins may have known her assailant, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Longshore.
She was a part-time college student at Antelope Valley College. Friends described the divorced, single mother as a dedicated churchgoer who loved to sing.
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