A family in California has been shaken to their core after their beloved mother, Lucrecia Macias Barajas, 46, was found dead in a Los Angeles homeless encampment. As if that weren’t shocking enough for the late woman’s family, the story gets worse as she and a male friend were both found dead, and their corpses had been eaten and mauled by dogs. Now, the victim’s family is speaking out, and they want answers.
The California woman’s daughter, Amely Becerra, says that she became worried after she stopped by her mother’s home to deliver flowers for Mother’s Day (via LAist). However, Lucrecia Macias Barajas wasn’t home. Becerra left and expected to see her mother the following day. However, when the holiday passed without any word from Lucrecia, her family began to get worried.
Two days later, Amely’s sister, Ariana Macias, followed a phone tracking app to a Los Angeles neighborhood known for having a problem with homeless encampments and animal issues. There, her mother’s body was found lying in the encampment and eaten by dogs.
Barajas had been someone who had battled major life events in the past. Not only was she the mother of six children, but she also served in the U.S. Army, survived cancer, and battled depression during her life. The horrific details of her discovery will now linger with her family, who are demanding answers for their mother.
California Army Vetern Lucrecia Macias Barajas Found Dead in Homeless Encampment
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has yet to determine the cause of death. However, the testing could take months to see results. Meanwhile, Barajas’ family says that she wasn’t homeless and was not a drug addict. So, there is some serious confusion as to why she was found in the area. Her daughter tells KTLA5 that she believes her mother was in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The family friend found with Barajas has been identified as Fredy Pojoy Sajqui, but called “Pablo” by the late mother’s family. His cause of death is also under investigation.
City officials like Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez have defended their strategy for making the streets safer, which focuses on moving people into housing with access to services. A spokesperson for Bass revealed, “This case reinforces our urgent need to address this grave humanitarian crisis.”
As California continues to debate how to best handle its cities’ homelessness crisis, this tragedy highlights just how fragile life on the streets can be, especially for those who don’t know the ropes. Unfortunately, Lucrecia Macias Barajas’ family is too late to help their loved one. However, her story could inspire change for the future.
