Officials with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office have identified the woman who was found dead in the area of the Haskell Canyon Open Space on Monday morning.
Irma Romero Castaneda, 21, of Lancaster, has been identified as the woman who was found dead by at least one hiker near Benz Road and Copper Hill Drive around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Kelly Vail, spokeswoman for the Medical Examiner.
Lt. Chris Oakley, a lieutenant with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau, said in a phone interview Monday afternoon that there are early indications it may have been a suicide, but the Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
Oakley added that after the Medical Examiner rules on it, the Homicide Bureau will either close the case or continue an investigation if it is determined to be a homicide.
Homicide detectives and the Medical Examiner responded to the area for the incident and said there were no obvious signs foul play was involved, he said.
There is still no ruling listed as homicide or suicide at the time of this publication, according to the Medical Examiner.
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to the area of the Haskell Canyon Open Space around 9:34 a.m. and requested Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel be dispatched to the scene, according to Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the station.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Search and Rescue also responded to the area and said it was “rugged terrain and difficult to navigate,” Miller added.
Firefighters pronounced the person dead on arrival at 10:08 a.m., according to Miller.
Keith Navarre, spokesman for the Fire Department, said firefighters responded for a psychiatric rescue.
