"Officers received information that news stations received a fax indicating a homicide that was committed Feb. 28 in the area," Harding said, adding that "When the officers got to the area, they found a female body in the trunk of a car."
According to KTLA, which received the fax, it was signed "someone trying to help" and included the names of two suspects.
Police said the two names were Christopher Bullock and Adele Chapel.
The family of a 22-year-old woman identified as Denise Figueroa came forward, saying the body was hers, according to the TV station.
Figueroa's family said they believe the person responsible for the killing may be in jail on unrelated charges.
According to news reports, a man by the name of Adele Chapel was arrested Monday and is currently in a Los Angeles jail.
Neighbor Ed Bowlby told Channel 11 the car had "Some graffiti, foul language scribbled into the side of it with a key and it was particularly messy inside, so it really stood out to us."
Police said the black Nissan Altima was registered to the woman who was found in the vehicle.
Figueroa's family reported her missing on Monday and printed fliers asking for the public's help in locating her.
Lt. Allan Hamilton, speaking to the media, said "Something occurred inside the vehicle," but declined to give details. He said the car was being taken to a secure facility for a thorough investigation.
While Hamilton was speaking, a man claiming to be Figueroa's uncle addressed the media, saying the Los Angeles Police Department had been uncooperative when told the circumstances of the woman's disappearance.
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