Arizona Man Arrested in Connection With Woman Whose Body Was Found in California in Her Car’s Trunk

Christi Romero's reported her missing. Hours later, her body was found in California in the trunk of a car, police said.
Nov. 13 2023, Published 3:01 p.m. ET
An Arizona man has been arrested after police say they found a missing woman’s body in the trunk of a car in California.
On the morning of Nov. 6, officials from the Holbrook Police Department said the family of 54-year-old Christi Romero reported her missing from Arizona.
According to police, her vehicle, a 1995 Plymouth Neon, was also nowhere to be found. They also said the “circumstances surrounding Christi’s disappearance are suspicious in nature.”
Investigators determined that 34-year-old Richard Rodriguez allegedly “forced his way into Christi’s residence and forced her to leave,” officials said. They also believed Rodriguez had Romero’s 9 mm pistol in his possession.
In an effort to try and find Romero, police posted photos of her, Rodriguez and the stolen vehicle online.
Around 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 6, officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department responded to a call regarding a “family disturbance.”
- Boyfriend Accused of Killing Girlfriend Found Dead in Trunk Because ‘She Broke Up With Him in the Past': Cops
- Son And Mother Reported Missing. He’ll Now Spend Decades in Prison After She Was Found Dead In His Trunk.
- A Louisiana Man Accused of Killing Elderly Woman Drove Around With Her Body in SUV for Month: Police
Once at the scene, police discovered a dead adult female at the scene, authorities said.
Romero’s body was found in the trunk of a parked sedan near the home, KTLA-TV reported.
Her cause of death is unknown, but police arrested Rodriguez on suspicion of Romero’s murder.
Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.
Huntington Beach police said the couple may have been dating. Romero reportedly filed a protective order against Rodriguez several days before her body was found, KABC-TV reported.
While authorities would not confirm what Rodriguez was doing in Huntington Beach, they did say he may have family or friends in the area.
The investigation is ongoing.
Become a Front Page Detective
Sign up to receive breaking
Front Page Detectives
news and exclusive investigations.