Officials looking for grandson, truck of dead woman

Officials are looking for clues that may lead to more information about the death of a 58-year-old Pomona woman whose body was found in the desert near the California/Nevada state line last week.

The body of Luisa Aguilar Ventura was found Nov. 25 just north of Cima Road in the Mojave National Preserve, according to a previous San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department report. Relatives reported her missing on Nov. 17 after she and her 18-year-old grandson, Arturo Hernandez, did not arrive in Madera as scheduled after a trip to Las Vegas.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Jodi Miller said Tuesday that authorities are still trying to locate Hernandez and the gray Toyota Tacoma that they were traveling in. She did not have a description of Hernandez available.

An autopsy was conducted on Ventura on Nov. 28, but the cause of death has not yet been determined, coroner’s spokeswoman Sandy Fatland said Tuesday. Although the cause of death is still unknown, homicide detectives are investigating the case.

To report information relating to the case, call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department homicide detail at 909-387-3589. To remain anonymous, call WE-TIP at (800) 78-CRIME or leave information on the WeTip Web site at www.wetip.com.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or asewell@desertdispatch.com