A 26-year-old bartender, Dino Rojas-Moreno, has been charged with special circumstances murder for the brutal killing of 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin. The horrifying crime took place in a construction site in Laguna Beach, where Goodwin’s body was found with a sandbag covering her head.
Rojas-Moreno faces one felony count of murder, with a felony enhancement of special circumstances for committing the murder during a kidnapping, as well as another felony enhancement for using a fire extinguisher as a weapon. If convicted, he could potentially face the death penalty.
The tragedy unfolded on November 12, 2023, when a construction worker stumbled upon Goodwin’s body at around 8:20 am. She was found under a chain link fence, with the sandbag used to cover her head. The details of her gruesome death shook the community and left many questioning the motive behind such a heinous act.
According to authorities, Rojas-Moreno allegedly approached Goodwin in a parking lot around 1 a.m. that morning and violently attacked her near her parked car. He then dragged her to a secluded area behind a movie theater, which was in the process of being constructed. It is in this isolated location that he mercilessly beat her to death using a fire extinguisher. Goodwin’s lifeless body was only discovered several hours later, adding to the shock and horror of the crime.
The circumstances leading up to this horrific event remain unclear. Whether there was any prior relationship between Rojas-Moreno and Goodwin or what could have triggered such a violent attack is still being investigated. Additionally, the fact that Rojas-Moreno failed to show up for work on the day of the murder, claiming he had been assaulted by several men in Santa Ana, raises more questions and adds to the complexity of the case.
Rojas-Moreno’s current detention without bail adds to the gravity of the situation. The Orange County District Attorney expressed deep condolences for Goodwin, stating, “The loss of an innocent life is a travesty for the entire community… It is heartbreaking that a young woman with her entire future ahead of her had her life ended in such a brutal way and then discarded like her life never mattered. She mattered, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office is committed to ensuring justice is served.”
The prosecutor assigned to this case, Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Moore of the Homicide Unit, will be responsible for bringing justice to the victim and her family. The community is anxiously awaiting the outcome of this trial, as the details of the crime have left many shaken and outraged.
The tragic and brutal murder of Tatum Goodwin has left the community in shock and mourning. The loss of her life under such horrifying circumstances has sparked deep pain and outrage. Family, friends, and the broader community look to the justice system to ensure that Tatum Goodwin’s memory is honored and that the perpetrator of this heinous crime faces the consequences of his actions.
As the investigation and legal proceedings continue, the memory of Tatum Goodwin will remain in the hearts of those who knew her and in the broader community. The hope for justice for her and for those who knew and loved her will remain steadfast, as the legal process unfolds.
