Homicide detectives are reconstructing the final moments of a popular young restaurant manager whose body was found bludgeoned to death just yards from the Laguna Beach bar she left Saturday night.
Tatum Goodwin, 27, was enjoying a night out with friends at the popular California resort and the party had made its way to Hennessey’s Tavern on Ocean Avenue.
A resident reportedly heard screaming at 2 a.m. and a little more than six hours later, a construction worker found her body around the corner in a parking lot, behind an old movie theater and the Carmelita branch where she had worked for four years.
“It doesn’t just affect me.” It affected a large part of our team,” said restaurant manager Marcos Heredia.
“She definitely doesn’t deserve this, she’s just a beautiful person.”
Tatum Goodwin, 27, was murdered just meters from the Laguna Beach bar where she had recently spent an evening with friends
Her friends have spoken of their shock and sadness at the young restaurant manager’s sudden death
Her body was found in a parking lot just around the corner from the bar where she had been drinking
According to local website underlaguna.com, the Orange County Coroner’s Department is conducting an autopsy on the young woman, who had recently broken up with her boyfriend and appeared “upset” as she left the bar in the early morning hours.
She had gone to Hennessey’s after work and was said to have had a drink at the Marine Bar across the street sometime that evening.
“She was just such a loving, honest person,” said her friend Aleena Macintosh.
“You just wouldn’t have thought anything would happen to her.”
“I can’t even think right now. To think that this happened right across the street from my work and happened to someone we all loved so much.
“This world is too cruel to those who don’t deserve it.”
Heredia has launched a Gofundme appeal to cover funeral costs and create a memorial for the young San Clemente woman whose life ended so suddenly.
“She was a very hard working young lady and always had a smile on her face,” he wrote on her page. “Over the years, she had expressed her excitement to be in Laguna and to have her opportunity with us.
“We felt like we really had a family member here with us.”
“I am seeking help to create a memorial for our team and family member in the city of Laguna Beach.
“We are still in disbelief and don’t want her to be forgotten.”
“We are trying to raise funds for her memorial services and also to help establish a memorial in the city so that everyone in the city never forgets our dear friend Tatum.”
“Please help us honor Tatum, she was found lifeless in Laguna Beach and we are told at this time that this is an ongoing murder investigation.”
“We will do our best to ensure that we help the city in some way to assist the police in their work and investigations.”
Tatum’s final evening began and ended just feet from her restaurant workplace on Broadway Street in the upscale Orange County beach resort
“I would give anything to go back to that day,” wrote her friend Madison Moyer
A Gofundme appeal has been launched to cover funeral costs and create a memorial for the young San Clemente woman whose life ended so suddenly
“She was just such a loving, honest person,” said her friend Aleena Macintosh
The beach bar where Tatum was having a drink with friends shortly before she was attacked
Police are still searching for Tatum’s cellphone, which is located somewhere near her murder
Hennessey’s Bar paid tribute to the young woman who was murdered outside
“We really need your help to give Tatum the memorial she very much deserves.”
Police are still trying to find Tatum’s phone, which is sending pings in the area of the bar.
“We are saddened by this senseless act of violence,” said Jeff Calvert, chief of police for the Laguna Police Department.
“Our investigators are working diligently to bring the suspect or suspects to justice.”