Death of Ellie Lorenzo: San Jose police believe body found in recycling plant is that of three-year-old girl

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) – Police are currently investigating the death of three-year-old Ellie Lorenzo as a homicide.

San Jose police believe the body of a girl found at a Charles Street recycling facility Saturday belongs to Ellie.

“We found a three-year-old girl who was neither conscious nor breathing and were able to determine that the girl was dead,” said Sergeant Jorge Garibay of the San Jose police.

He added: “Officers on the scene believed the three-year-old we found was Ellie Lorenzo.”

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

On Friday, Ellie’s mother applied for a welfare check after the three-year-old’s father failed to show up for a custody swap.

The girl’s father was later found dead in San Francisco.

“Through discussions with surrounding authorities, I was able to confirm that the father was found dead in San Francisco, apparently the result of suicide,” said Sargent Garibay.

The father lived in an apartment complex in Fremont.

Over the weekend, Fremont police searched the complex for Ellie.

On Monday, neighbors were shocked to learn of the murder investigation and the father’s suicide.

“How people can kill their own children,” said Fremont resident Catherine Atrotter.

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

Some neighbors wonder why Fremont police did not issue an Amber Alert for the missing 3-year-old.

“When I saw it, my heart sank. It’s just horrible,” said Fremont resident Charles Green.

While Fremont police were searching for the father and child, several police agencies shared the child’s photo on social media.

“Fremont Police have followed up on multiple leads, including contacting all friends and family members who know the father’s phone. We have conducted numerous welfare checks both in the Bay Area and in Southern California. We have contacted numerous law enforcement partners in the Bay Area and statewide,” said Sergeant Kim Macdonald of the Fremont Police Department.

Fremont police said over the phone that this case was not eligible for an Amber Alert.

Marc Klaas, president of the Klaas Kids Foundation, said more people should have been looking for Ellie.

“As I understand it, she contacted the police to check on the child’s welfare because they had not returned the child. They found the father dead, but the baby is missing. I think that meets that criteria,” Klaas said.

Now three law enforcement agencies are working together to find out what happened to Ellie as her family mourns her loss.

“We do not believe there is a threat to public safety. But we believe we have an idea of ​​what happened and that this is an isolated incident,” Sargent Garibay said.

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