Investigators say no evidence links bodies of young girl and man found in Carson

CARSON, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities say two bodies discovered in the same Carson channel this week do not appear to be connected and their deaths are being investigated as two separate incidents.

Investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Thursday that no information currently links the cases. Detectives are canvassing the area, reviewing missing persons reports and seeking additional information from the public.

"There is no information at this time connecting the discovery of these two victims, and we are encouraging anyone with information to call homicide division," Lt. Chris Oakley of the Carson Sheriff's Homicide Unit said.

The first case began Tuesday when the body of a young girl was found floating in the Dominguez Channel near Victoria Golf Course. Authorities said the child was believed to be between 6 and 12 years old. Due to severe decomposition, investigators say that the identity and race of the young girl is still pending.

Someone at the golf course spotted the body and called emergency services. Investigators said Thursday they do not know how long the girl had been floating downstream or where she entered the water. Authorities said the body was badly decomposed.

The girl was described as having brown hair and brown eyes and weighing 59 pounds.

In a separate case, authorities said a man's body was found floating in the same channel on Wednesday. Investigators identified him as a Black man between 50 and 60 years old and said he appeared to have been dead for less than 24 hours.

Authorities said there was no homeless activity in the area where he was discovered. Investigators also said there were no obvious signs of foul play, though autopsy results remain pending.

Residents who regularly exercise and bike near the channel expressed shock at the discovery of the girl's body.

"I was going over the [Del Amo Boulevard Bridge] and when I was coming back over, that's when I saw the yellow tape ... and when you see yellow tape, you kind of know what it is," said John Hollaway. "I started to get off and look down there. I just didn't want that memory etched in my head, especially now knowing it was a child now."

Another Carson resident said she had many unanswered questions.

"How does this happen? Where were her parents? Where are they now? How do we hold them accountable or what's going on with them? Are they homeless? Do they need help? You know, there's just a lot of questions ... where are they?" she said.

Detectives continue to review surveillance video, search for witnesses and await full autopsy results to determine the causes of death.