Death of a 3-year-old girl is being investigated as homicide

The SJPD immediately launched a homicide investigation, as it does with any death of a child in its jurisdiction, department spokesman Sergeant Jose Garibay told The Standard.

“Investigating child deaths requires incredibly meticulous investigations and a variety of evidence and follow-up to determine the cause and manner of death,” he wrote in an email on Saturday.

Later that day, detectives from Fremont met with their counterparts in San Jose to brief them on the initial investigation into the missing person report.

“The San Jose Police Department will be leading the homicide investigation going forward,” Fremont Police spokeswoman Amy Gee told The Standard on Saturday night. “However, the Fremont Police Department will continue to support Ellie’s family and assist San Jose in any way possible with the investigation.”

Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington expressed his condolences to the girl’s family.

“Our department is saddened that Ellie did not survive,” he said. “Our hearts are heavy for Ellie’s family and we will continue to support them during this difficult time.”

The chief thanked the San Jose and San Francisco police departments for their assistance in the investigation, as well as the California Highway Patrol.