By Lookout Staff
March 9 -- A Santa Monica man was charged Monday with the murder of a 22-year-old woman whose body was found in the trunk of her car Saturday afternoon.
Adel Chapel, 24, is suspected of murdering Denise Figueroa shortly after she was reported missing late last month.
Chapel, who was in custody on suspicion of carjacking, also is under investigation for a series of violent crimes that took place in the San Fernando Valley, police said.
Chapel had been in a relationship with Figueroa, police said.
An anonymous letter faxed to KTLA-TV led authorities to the victim’s body. The letter -- addressed to "To whom it may concern" -- was signed by "someone trying to help."
The letter said a homicide had been committed February 28 and described the area where the car could be found.
Figueroa’s body was found in the trunk of her car parked in the 11700 block of Hortense Street, Cueto said.
Figueroa’s mother had reported her daughter missing on February 28 after the victim left her mother’s North Hills home, police said. She did not return.
An autopsy was expected to be performed Monday, authorities said.
