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By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer
April 17 -- Elizabeth Bernice Celaya is the name
of the woman found dead last month near a Santa Monica Beach
restroom, according to the Los Angeles County Coroners office.
She was 48 years old and believed to be homeless.
While police said there is no evidence of foul play, the
Coroners office is still trying to determine the cause of
death.
"The doctor did an examination and chose to order additional
tests," said Craig Harvey, public information officer
for the Los Angeles County Coroners office.
Celaya was found dead near a beach restroom on March 29 at
8:10 a.m. on the 1100 block of Palisades Beach Road about
a mile south of the Santa Monica Pier, according to Santa
Monica Police.
Coroner officials said they have notified a family member
in Arizona.
"The family has asked for County disposition,"
said Harvey, explaining that Los Angeles County will cremate
her remains.
"They can claim them at any time," said Harvey,
although it is unknown if the family plans to do so.
Celaya was unknown to either City officials or Santa Monica
Police officers who work with the estimated 2,800 homeless
who live on the city’s streets on any given day, according
to interviews.
She did, however, have a citation on her from the Santa Monica
Police Department when her body was found, making her a likely
candidate to come before a judge in Santa Monica's pilot homeless
community court.
Launched in February, Santa Monica's Homeless Court offers
those who are ticketed for minor offenses a choice between
accepting help and services or a short stay in jail. So far,
two court sessions have been held over the past two months
and a handful of defendants have come before the judge.
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