Eileen Orta, 22
February 16, 2008 | 3:55
pm
Eileen Nicole Ponce-Orta, a 22-year-old Latina woman, was found stabbed to death inside her Plymouth Voyager in the 400 block of Civic Center Plaza in Pomona at about 10:58 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15. Pomona police initially said that a parking enforcement officer had discovered the body after receiving a call of an illegally parked vehicle. It was later learned by a Times staff writer that family members had instead discovered the body under some blankets in the backseat of the minivan. Orta had been reported missing earlier in the week to the Covina Police Department. More in the Los Angeles Times story
I'm really curious on how this missing woman can be missing for 3 days and why it took so long for the police to notice that she was left dead in the van and it was in a police parking lot.I mean come on where was the police when this was taking place and this was in the Police Dept. lot.That should have been reported right then and there.That should have been noticeable.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 18, 2008 at 08:28 AM
First off , I think common sense, and case info would have told the police that this van was connected to a "missing person" case and should not have been released to the family until it was checked, second off parking enforcement did NOT find the body, The young ladies FAMILY Found the body under some blankets after being told to pick up the van by city personnel and remove from Police Dept parking lot...
Posted by: Paco | February 19, 2008 at 03:56 AM
Apparently, the parking enforcement official only found the vehicle. The vehicle had been that of a missing women. This report is false.
NO ONE in the Pomona Police department or this parking official found the body. When the police called the family to come and take the car out of impound - the Mother found her daughter dead under some blankets in the back with a stab wound to the neck.
This is horrific to think that a missing person and vehicle was listed with the National Search system, and the Pomona police and the police find the vehicle - and CALL THE FAMILY - before any search is done on the car for the woman???? Are you kidding me?
Then Sgt. Horace Blehr has the nerve to say to the victims mother, "We don't go around searching abandoned cars." Are you kidding me Sir!!! This is not just an abandoned car - this is an abandoned car connected to a missing person's report in your jurisdiction.
This is DISGRACEFUL - especially Sgt. Blehr that you weren't man enough to take responsibility to your community and your department. I am sure you have a lot of fine, hardworking people working there - however, this situation is deplorable.
I call for Sgt. Horace Blehr to lose his position as Sgt. He doesn't deserve the title - when you allow parents of missing children in your jurisdiction to find their murdered daughter - because you are more concerned about an illegally parked car, or just weren't able to "connect the dots" you don't deserve the title of Sgt.
Ashamed for you,
Gen
Los Angeles
Posted by: Gen Peters | February 19, 2008 at 06:57 AM
its ridiculous that the pomona police department is not taking any fault in this. it's common sense to check the vehicle of a missing person. what a sad, sad way to find the dead body of your child.
Posted by: Jr | February 19, 2008 at 01:02 PM
How can it NOT be protocol by any law enforcement agency to search the car of a missing person when it was found? My condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Pnoce-Orta.
Posted by: Torrance Mom | February 19, 2008 at 03:03 PM
That is so, so SAD. Some of these police are brainless. They have no idea what needs to be done, they never save anyone. They just come and take pictures of the bodies. That poor girl. I hope they find who did it.
Posted by: Lyle | February 19, 2008 at 04:18 PM
people, was the vehicle reported missing or just the young lady. we have to consider a lot of things here.if there is no stolen/missing vehicle report (containing a license plate #) , how could the police have known? an incident report/# and reciept is issued by the agency that takes the report, when such reports are made. so the family should have this .if this had happened in l.a. the van almost likely would have been impounded. and who knows what the outcome could have been. i am praying for the family. god bless you all. she was sooo beautiful.
Posted by: wondering | February 20, 2008 at 09:51 AM
The previous posts are very interesting, from a variety of people who clearly would make better investigators and officers than those who are doing it now. Have you folks applied? Law enforcement hiring is being pursued very aggressively, and I'm sure your expertise and superior investigative skills, in addition to your knowledge of police policy and Constitutional law as is applies to search and seizure of property within vehicles not involved in a crime, would be welcomed.
If you haven't applied, why not?
Posted by: Nutria | February 20, 2008 at 11:33 AM
I do not live in LA.
But, if there is one bit of truth to this story, I agree most profoundly with Gen Peters. Someone or even more than one officer should be held accountable for this grievous lack what would be consider a basic function of follow through and thought of any police department.
Posted by: canitbe | February 20, 2008 at 09:01 PM
SO SORRY TRACEY FOR U AND YOUR FAMILY MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU .
Posted by: Penny Johnson | February 20, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Nutria,
Right on. It's amazing to me that so many people out there know so much about invesigations, law, policy and the list can go on and on. I really don't know why more crimes are not solved by ordinary citizens who take on a case and see it through to conclusion. One would think that with so many people experts on each and every subject when it comes to invesitations that this case and so many others would be solved.
Posted by: Kel | February 21, 2008 at 10:20 AM
God watch over all of us.
I didnt imagine such thing could happen i mean isnt the police department or any police head quarters have surveillance?! It definantly put the red light on me. I will refrain from being out much and well stick with my family and the good friends i got. God bless the family and bless the young womans soul.
Posted by: D | February 23, 2008 at 10:08 PM
sorry for this horrible tragedy... I knew eileen , I miss her so much.she was a wonderful person, and we had good times hanging out.. I cant believe this happend to her, Dont worry family " they'll find the bastard" who did this and by that they better give him the death penalty. And I agree that the pomona police department should be held accountable for what you had to go through(family members at the scene) It should have been more carefully investigated before they contacted .............................. I give my only prayer to eileen. and of course her family and friends......
Posted by: Serena R | February 27, 2008 at 04:51 PM
My heart truly goes out to the Ponce family. My brother was found in a van; although I did look in the windows of the van when it was parked on the street. The San Francisco police had it in their possession for 8 days before they looked in the van. I had reported him missing Dec 27, 07, they called me on Feb 1, 08 to tell me they found him. Apparently these young cops don't want to do too much work. We all suffer; I can't imagine being the one who opened the door to find my loved one. My prayers are with you, I'm very sorry for your loss
Posted by: Trynomite | February 29, 2008 at 01:41 PM
The moment i heard this news i was heart broken she was a great friend of my family. I went to school with her, how can anyone do this? She had a family, a husband and a beautiful daughter. I hope they catch the person that did this! I know shes looking down from heaven. Her memories will always be in our hearts<3 We all miss you..my condolences to her family
Posted by: Aura G | March 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM