The Laguna Hills community is grappling with shock and grief following the tragic discovery of a 30-year-old woman’s body in a trash can. Julie Sunny, a beloved resident of the area, was found dead last week, leading to the arrest and murder charges against David Aldridge of Costa Mesa.
Sunny, a University of California, Berkeley graduate, was known for her bright personality and successful career in the corporate sector. She worked for various grocery store chains and was known for her love of music and dogs. Her family remembers her as a loving individual, with her mother reflecting on her vibrant life and calling her a “sweetheart.”
The circumstances surrounding Sunny’s death have left her family in a state of disbelief and sorrow. Her brother, Ian, described her as “beautiful inside and out,” and expressed his inability to comprehend why anyone would want to harm his sister. Sunny was reported missing after she failed to show up for a planned outing with friends, an unusual occurrence given her reputation for reliability.
The Costa Mesa police were able to track Sunny’s vehicle using a license plate reader. The vehicle was last detected on 19th Street, but despite the family’s search in the area, they found no trace of her. Their worst fears were realized when they learned through news reports that a woman’s body had been discovered nearby.
Sunny’s body was found in a trash can on Maple Avenue by a gardener, not far from where her car was last seen. Aldridge was later arrested at a relative’s home in Glendale and charged with murder. The motive behind the crime remains unclear, leaving the family with many unanswered questions.
The family is now seeking justice for Sunny, hoping that the legal system will take appropriate action to prevent such tragedies in the future. The devastating news was delivered to them by the coroner in the early morning hours, marking a poignant moment in their grieving process. As they await further developments, the family is determined to honor Sunny’s memory and find some semblance of closure.