Body Found in Lomita Apartment Is Missing Woman: Coroner

The body found behind a Lomita apartment wall last week is that of a woman who was reported missing about six years ago, authorities said Thursday.

Raven Joy Campbell, who was 31 at the time of her disappearance, was first reported missing in July 2009 from her residence in the 26800 block of Western Avenue, the same apartment where her body was recovered a week ago at the Harbor Hills Housing Project in Lomita, according to the LA County Sheriff's Department.

The coroner's office was called to the apartment last Wednesday around 10 p.m. A "positive alert" from search dogs led authorities to a location inside a residence, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed Thursday morning that a body was found inside a wall, sheriff's officials said.

Before the body was officially identified, the woman's family members arrived at the scene early last Thursday insisting the body was Campbell, after hearing about the discovery on a newscast.

"The body has to be hers, there's no question," said Malaikah Manasseh, Campbell's sister.

Family members said residents had complained about an odor for years.

Although the coroner has now identified the body as Campbell, a cause of death has not been determined.