On Friday, prosecutors filed a new court document alleging that the man from Laguna Beach, who was arrested in connection with the death of Tatum Goodwin, used a fire extinguisher to kill her. The 27-year-old victim was allegedly murdered with this unexpected weapon.
On November 12th, a construction worker found the body of Goodwin in an alleyway off the 200 block of Ocean Avenue. She was a resident of San Clemente and had been working at Carmelita’s restaurant nearby.
According to the Orange County Register, Dino Rojas-Moreno, a 26-year-old resident of Laguna Hills, was taken into custody on Wednesday for the murder of Goodwin. Rojas-Moreno had been employed as a bartender at the Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill in Laguna Beach.
According to the Orange County D.A.’s Office, Goodwin was first approached by Rojas-Moreno in a parking lot at around 1 a.m. on November 12. She was then assaulted by him near her parked car.
According to prosecutors, Rojas-Moreno claimed that he had been attacked by two men in Santa Ana after he failed to show up for work later that day.
It remains unclear if Rojas-Moreno and Goodwin were acquainted with each other, according to authorities.
The authorities are currently detaining him without the option of posting a bond.
D.A. Todd Spitzer expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a young woman’s life, stating that it is a tragedy for the entire community. He emphasized that the victim had a bright future ahead of her, and her life was ruthlessly taken away and her body discarded as if it didn’t matter. However, the D.A. affirmed that the victim’s life was indeed valuable and that the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is determined to ensure that justice is served.
Friends, family, and members of the community gathered at the San Clemente Pier on Wednesday night to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of Goodwin. Those closest to her described her as an “angel,” which was a sentiment echoed by her friends and co-workers.
“Tatum was a cheerful and generous person, who would willingly offer her shirt to anyone in need,” stated her mother, Stacy Goodwin-Pitino. This is how she remembered her daughter.”
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