An 11-year-old girl was discovered strangled in a plastic bag beneath a bed in the apartment shared with her father.

The Pasadena Police Department responded to a call for help from an apartment complex on Saturday when the father reported that his daughter, Maria Gonzalez, was unresponsive. 

Maria was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived. 

The father of the young victim, Carmelo Gonzalez, had left for work that morning and had kept in touch with Maria via phone. However, less than 30 minutes after his departure, he received a message from her indicating that someone was knocking at their front door. He told her not to open the door.

Chief Josh Bruegger provided updates on Tuesday, August 15, revealing that family members living in the same apartment complex were contacted by Carmelo to check on Maria’s well-being. A search of the premises failed to locate her. 

The medical examiner’s findings revealed that Maria’s cause of death was asphyxiation resulting from both strangulation and severe head and neck trauma. Further investigation also revealed signs of sexual assault. 

Authorities indicated that there was no evidence of forced entry into the apartment, leaving them without any immediate suspects. 

Chief Bruegger clarified that, currently, Carmelo Gonzalez is not considered a suspect as his alibi aligns. He didn’t arrive home from work until 3pm.

The father-daughter duo had been residing in the apartment for three months. Maria’s mother lives in Guatemala. 

In an effort to gather more information, DNA samples have been taken from people in the apartment complex. However, securing the cooperation of potential witnesses has presented challenges.

Update – A suspect, Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, 18, was taken into custody in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 19 and is awaiting extradition. He had been named a person of interest and lived in the same apartment complex but had left the area.