California

Woman Who Disappeared on Holiday Road Trip Found Dead Off Coast

A body found near a mangled car over the side of an oceanside cliff has been identified as the woman who went missing with her boyfriend on a holiday road trip, San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Department officials said Wednesday.

Investigators identified the woman as 20-year-old Olivia Hannah Gonzalez after the car the couple was last seen in was discovered 325 feet down a cliff off Highway 1.

The North Hollywood couple disappeared after leaving for a holiday road trip to Big Sur on Dec. 23, and when their families hadn't heard from them by their expected return date of Christmas, they called authorities.

Tuesday, the body of a woman ejected from the car was found at the site, along with a dead dog. The body was identified Wednesday afternoon as Gonzalez. 

Vanessa Guzman, Gonzalez's sister, confirmed to NBC4 that sheriff's officials called to notify that Olivia had been found dead.

Investigators were still searching for Gonzalez's boyfriend, 21-year-old Brian Fernandez along with another dog. 

The car, which matches the description of the North Hollywood couple's, was discovered Tuesday at the bottom of a steep cliff above the ocean. The tan sedan was spotted 325 feet down a cliff off Highway 1 at Ragged Point in northern San Luis Obispo County.

A dive team was sent to the location Wednesday morning after no other person or remains were found in the car. Investigators  said the second victim may have been ejected from the car and into the water, or possibly be underneath under the car.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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