Press ReleasesÂ
On January 9, 2023, at about 9:09 p.m., a male reporting party called 9-1-1 and spoke to the Ventura Police Department Communications Center. The male said that his female friend, later identified as Christina Lorenzen, was in the Santa Clara Riverbed, yelling for help as flood waters were rising. Ventura Police Communications transferred the call to the Ventura County Fire Department Dispatch Center so that a rescue effort could be launched.
Ventura County Fire Dispatch initiated a swift water rescue effort, using several resources from the Ventura County Fire Department, the Ventura City Fire Department, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, including a Search and Rescue team and a helicopter. The rescue resources were unable to locate Lorenzen during their effort. The focus of the search was in the Santa Clara Riverbed in the area of Auto Center Drive and Ventura Road in the City of Ventura.
On January 10, 2023, at about 6:35 p.m., the same caller from the previous evening called the Ventura Police Department Communications Center and indicated that he had found Lorenzen deceased in the riverbed. Ventura Police Department patrol officers responded to the caller’s location and located Lorenzen in a small wooden structure in the riverbed. Lorenzen appeared to have drowned while inside that structure. It appeared that Lorenzen was also living inside of the makeshift structure. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified, and they responded to conduct their own investigation. Before the rain event and flooding, efforts were made by the Ventura Police Department and the
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to notify people residing in or frequenting the riverbeds, that a large storm system was approaching, and the riverbeds were likely to flood. The persons contacted were informed that it was dangerous to be in the riverbeds, and they were offered
The complete press release, including suspect description, can be viewed online at www.venturapd.org If you have any information about this crime, you can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000
services and information about foul weather shelters. Additionally, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter made announcements while flying over the Santa Clara Riverbed, warning of floods and advising any occupants to leave the area.
During rain events, flooding often occurs in both the Santa Clara and Ventura Rivers, making the areas unsafe. The Ventura Police and other public safety agencies encourage anyone living in or frequenting these areas to evacuate during foul weather and seek shelter and services. For the upcoming rain event expected to begin on Saturday, January 14, the County of Ventura is opening a temporary shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, located at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. The temporary shelter will be open from Friday, January 13, through Tuesday, January 17. This shelter is open to anyone in need, but primarily focuses on providing temporary shelter for the homeless population of Oxnard and Ventura.
Additional weather information is available through The Ventura County Office of Emergency Services: www.VCEmergency.com. The community can also stay informed of critical incident updates in their area by registering at www.VCAlert.org.
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