Bartender Charged with Murder of Restaurant Manager Found Bludgeoned to Death in California
Grisly details have emerged in the murder case of Tatum Goodwin, a 27-year-old restaurant manager who was found bludgeoned to death in California. The suspect, 26-year-old bartender Dino Rojas-Moreno, has been charged with her murder.
On Sunday, a construction worker discovered Goodwin’s battered body near Carmelita’s restaurant where she worked. Investigators believe the murder weapon used was a fire extinguisher.
Authorities revealed that Goodwin’s body was found under a chain link fence on a construction site, with a sandbag placed on her head. It is alleged that Rojas-Moreno assaulted Goodwin while she was on a night out, dragged her to an alley, and killed her with the fire extinguisher.
Rojas-Moreno was a bartender at the Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill, which was located just minutes away from Goodwin’s restaurant in Laguna Beach. However, it remains unclear whether the two had previously met.
According to a filing released on Friday, the incident occurred in a parking lot at around 1am, where Rojas-Moreno assaulted Goodwin near her car. He then forcefully dragged her to a secluded area behind a movie theater under construction, where he allegedly beat her to death with a fire extinguisher.
The next day, Rojas-Moreno failed to show up for work and later claimed that he had been attacked by two men in Santa Ana. He is currently being held without bond.
The District Attorney’s Office has condemned the tragic loss of an innocent life and is committed to ensuring justice is served. Rojas-Moreno, a local resident and former bartender at various establishments, is now facing the serious charge of murder.
As the community mourns the loss of Tatum Goodwin, tributes have poured in for the young restaurant manager. Hundreds gathered at the San Clemente Pier to honor her memory, describing her as kind, generous, and full of light. Goodwin’s sister expressed her gratitude to those who attended the vigil while sharing the difficulty of the experience and the mix of emotions she and her family are experiencing.
The shocking incident has left friends and acquaintances in disbelief, highlighting the need for justice and a sense of closure. The restaurant manager’s tragic death serves as a painful reminder of the cruelty that can befall innocent individuals and the impact it has on communities.
As the investigation into this harrowing crime unfolds, the Laguna Beach community remains united in their grief and determination to see justice served.
