Overview
- Police responded to a welfare check on Oct. 27 and returned the morning of Oct. 28 with a search warrant that uncovered a body wrapped in a bedroll, placed in a metal container, and covered in plastic.
- The deceased was identified as 39-year-old Lawrence Brennen of Santa Barbara and authorities say the circumstances of his death are suspicious.
- Two residents, Jenica Monique Ochoa, 45, and Kenneth Eugene Tompkins, 43, were arrested Oct. 28 and charged with conspiracy and concealing a death; both have pleaded not guilty and have not been charged with causing Brennen’s death.
- Prosecutors allege the concealment occurred between Oct. 23 and Oct. 27 and say both defendants face potential prior-strike sentencing enhancements tied to earlier burglary convictions that the defendants deny.
- The Santa Barbara Criminal Investigations Unit is leading the probe, toxicology and other forensic tests are expected to take several weeks, and police are asking the public to contact Detective Baca with any information.