Family devastated after missing mother found dead at LA homeless encampment
- On Monday evening, the Los Angeles Police Department discovered two deceased individuals inside a shelter at a homeless site in the Westlake area near the 110 Freeway.
- The deaths occurred after family members failed to reach 46-year-old Lucrecia Macias Barajas for days and forcibly opened the tent locked from inside.
- Authorities identified Barajas and a man in his 30s, are investigating the deaths without treating them as homicides, and removed two dogs from the site for care.
- In 2023, 2,508 homeless deaths occurred in Los Angeles, averaging 6.9 daily, with drug and alcohol overdoses causing 45% and encampment fires also contributing.
- The discovery highlights ongoing public safety concerns as local officials call for stronger responses to encampments amid rising homelessness-related deaths in Los Angeles.
11 Articles
11 Articles

Family tracks cell phone of missing veteran mom to horrifying discovery at homeless encampment, LAPD says
A missing woman and a male were found dead inside a zipped tent at a homeless encampment, according to California police, and neighbors said that they were partially eaten by dogs. The bodies of 46-year-old Lucrecia Macias Barajas and a male were found at the encampment in the Westlake district of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet released the identity of the deceased male. 'I want people to know she wasn’…


Family devastated after missing mother found dead at LA homeless encampment
(KTLA) - Family members are devastated after a missing woman was one of two people found dead at a homeless encampment in the Westlake district of Los Angeles. On Monday, Lucrecia Macias Barajas, 46, was found dead inside a sidewalk tent that had reportedly been locked from the inside. The body of her male friend, whose identity was not released by the L.A. County Medical Examiner's office, was also found at the scene. Neighbors said at least o…
Two Found Dead at Homeless Encampment in Westlake District
An investigation was underway Wednesday after two people were found dead at a homelessness encampment in the Westlake District, including a woman whose body had been partially mauled by dogs. The woman’s body was found inside a tent, and the man’s body was discovered nearby at an encampment along Huntley Circle, according to KTLA5. It was unclear when the bodies were discovered. The Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner has identified th…


2 found dead inside tent in Westlake months after fatal fire at same encampment
A man and a woman were found dead inside a tent in Westlake on Monday, months after someone died in an RV fire at the same encampment, authorities said.
Man, mother of 6 found dead inside homeless encampment in Westlake
A gruesome discovery in Westlake is under investigation after a man and a woman were found dead inside an encampment tent on Monday. Witnesses tell NBC4 the tent was locked from the inside, forcing the daughter of the deceased woman to rip through the tent on Huntley Drive. Inside, a man and a woman were found with dogs that were eating the bodies, according to police. People who live near the encampment say the daughter had been looking for her…
2 found dead at problem homeless encampment in Los Angeles
A disturbing death investigation is unfolding in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, where two people were found dead at a problem homeless encampment, including one who neighbors say was found partially eaten by dogs. The grisly discovery was found at an encampment along Huntley Circle near downtown L.A. A woman's body was found inside a sidewalk tent that had reportedly been locked from the inside. Family members, unable to reach the victim,…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage