Death of Ellie Lorenzo: Deceased father named as suspect in death of 3-year-old girl; mother feared for her daughter’s safety

July 17, 2024

SAN JOSE, California – According to police, investigators in San Jose on Tuesday identified the suspect in the death of a three-year-old girl as her father.

Jared Lorenzo, 42, committed suicide in San Francisco on Friday. The girl, Ellie Lorenzo, was last seen alive with her father, who had custody of her, at his apartment in Fremont around 6 p.m. on Thursday, according to police.

RELATED: San Jose police investigate death of 3-year-old Ellie Lorenzo as homicide

San Jose police believe the body of a girl found at a recycling plant belongs to Ellie Lorenzo.

Investigators believe Lorenzo drove to San Jose early the next morning, removed Ellie’s body from the trunk of his vehicle and disposed of it in a trash can.

That container was emptied and unknowingly taken to the recycling plant, where Ellie’s body was found Saturday, police added. The girl was then positively identified Monday as a child missing from Fremont, according to a Santa Clara County coroner.

RELATED: Ellie Lorenzo’s mother confirms death of missing 3-year-old daughter

The death of missing three-year-old Ellie Lorenzo was confirmed by her family on Saturday.

Police also said Lorenzo likely drove to several neighboring Bay Area cities before stopping in San Francisco, where he was found dead shortly after 11 a.m. Friday.

Ellie’s death was the 19th homicide in San Jose in 2024.

RELATED TOPICS: Fremont police search for missing 3-year-old girl

Fremont police are trying to find missing 3-year-old Ellie Lorenzo, whose father died Friday.

Ellie’s mother, Chyrstal Obi, said in a statement on Tuesday that she fears for her daughter Ellie’s safety every time she visits her father, Jared Lorenzo.

Obi even took steps to protect Ellie.

The statement reads in part: “I was desperate to have her supervised at all times and to be safe when she accompanied him under court-ordered visitation rights. Last week on Tuesday, I finally received confirmation that the court would allow me to move out of state with Ellie, which he was also aware of.”

The motive, circumstances and manner of Ellie’s death remain under investigation.

Ellie’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses.

KGO-TV/ABC7 News contributed to this report