A Calif. Woman's Body Was Found Stuffed in a Trash Can. Here's Why Her Boyfriend Was Just Arrested

Mar. 15, 2025

A photo taken of the incident from the Costa Mesa Police Department.Photo:Costa Mesa Police Department

Daniel Allen Aldrich, 49, was arrested on suspicion of murder

Costa Mesa Police Department

A Calif. man has been arrested in connection with the death of his girlfriend who was found dead inside a trash can, according to authorities.

The Costa Mesa Police Department arrested 49-year-old Daniel Allen Aldrich, from Costa Mesa,on Tuesday, Oct. 22, they announced, in the death of his girlfriend, 38-year-old Julie Anne Sanetra from Irvine, who was found “in a trash can” located at his home in Costa Mesa.

In apress release, police noted that the investigation into Sanetra’s death began after they received a call on Tuesday at around 2:30 p.m. “about a deceased woman found in the backyard of a home.” When officers arrived on the scene, they said they found “the victim deceased and immediately began an investigation.”

Investigators said they identified Aldrich as a suspect “at the start of the investigation. He was eventually located in Glendale “at the home of a family member,” and was subsequently arrested.

Police did not provide any additional details into the events leading up to Sanetra’s death or what may have caused her death. Though, LaPointe noted that this was an odd incident.

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A resident, who lived near the home where the body was found, told KTLA that he had seen a woman coming and going from the home, and said that he believed she had moved in “four or five” months ago. However, another woman on the block, Barbara Bruce, told the outlet that she had not seen anyone near the home.

The Costa Mesa Police Department said the investigation into the incident is ongoing and that the case has been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for “filing consideration.”

source: people.com