Man Found Concealed in Santa Barbara Apartment; Two People Charged

Overview

• Santa Barbara police discovered the body of 39-year-old Lawrence Matthew Brennen Jr. inside a West Beach apartment on Oct. 28 after a welfare check and search warrant.
• Prosecutors charged 45-year-old Jenica Monique Ochoa and 43-year-old Kenneth Eugene Tompkins with felony conspiracy and misdemeanor concealing a death; both have pleaded not guilty.
• An autopsy was completed and toxicology and other forensic tests remain pending, a process police say will take several weeks and is central to determining cause of death.
• The suspects were released on bail with monitoring and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 30 as investigators continue an 'intricate' probe.
• Brennen’s family has held memorials and a vigil while police urge anyone with information to contact the Santa Barbara investigation unit so the community can get answers.