Two individuals have been charged in Santa Barbara body concealment after attempting to hide the death of a 30-year-old man by wrapping his body in bedding, placing it inside a metal container, and sealing it with plastic wrap.
Charges and Investigation Details
The suspects have been identified as 45-year-old Jenica Monique Ochoa and 43-year-old Kenneth Eugene Tompkins. Both face felony conspiracy and misdemeanor charges of concealing a death. However, they were not charged with directly causing the death of 39-year-old Lawrence Brennan.
The investigation began around 9:37 p.m. on the 27th of last month following a welfare check request in the 100 block of Los Aguajes Avenue in the West Beach area of Santa Barbara. After discovering suspicious circumstances at the scene, police obtained a search warrant and found Brennan’s body inside an apartment at approximately 6:45 a.m. the following day.
Court Appearance and Ongoing Proceedings
Prosecutors stated that Ochoa and Tompkins wrapped Brennan’s body between the 23rd and 27th of last month with the intention of hiding his death from acquaintances, family members, and the police. Following their arrest on the 29th of last month, both defendants pleaded not guilty during their arraignment the next day. Prosecutors also cited prior felony residential burglary convictions to pursue sentencing enhancements, which both defendants denied.
Ochoa’s bail was set at $100,000, while Tompkins’ bail is $50,000. The two are scheduled to appear again at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The exact cause of Brennan’s death and his relationship to the defendants have not yet been released as the investigation remains ongoing.
