Warrant Is Issued in Fatal Beating of Girl

An arrest warrant was issued for a Costa Mesa youth who allegedly beat a 16-year-old girl to death and left her body along a hiking trail at Fairview Regional Park in Costa Mesa, police said Friday.

Victor Garcia, 17, who is also known as Victor Manuel Garduno, fled after learning that police were looking for him, said Costa Mesa Police Det. Mike Cacho.

Police allege that Garcia met Ceceline Godsoe of Costa Mesa at the park Sept. 20 and hit her on the head following an argument.

William Godsoe recalled Friday how his daughter kissed him and said, “I love you,” before she headed to the park about 9 p.m.

Police said her body was found about five hours later.

The father said the park, which overlooks the Santa Ana River, was one of her favorite spots to hang out.

“No matter if it was at the bayous, creeks, the Pacific Ocean or neighborhood pools, she was a water creature,” said her mother, Martha.

William Godsoe said he did not know the suspect and didn’t recall his daughter ever speaking of the youth.

Garcia is described as Latino with a medium complexion, 5-feet-8, about 195 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has a tattoo with barbed wire-style designs on his right arm. Anyone with information is urged to call Costa Mesa police at (714) 754-5206.

A memorial service for Godsoe will be held 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 1259 Victoria St., in Costa Mesa.