Final post of woman, 27, beaten to death near work shows fear for beloved dog

15 November 2023 , 13:05

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Tatum posted this sweet photo of her Brody the dog in September 2014 (Image: KTLA)

The heartbreaking final Instagram post of a woman who was beaten to death and dumped behind a cinema car park near where she works has revealed devastation among family and friends.

Tatum Goodwin, 27, was killed just metres away from the restaurant she managed and was found beaten to death near a Laguna Beach bar. She reportedly left her workplace very late and “upset”, before screaming was heard by locals at around 2am - and Tatum’s body was found six hours later.

Her final Instagram post has now emerged, showing a collage of her sweet dog called Brody. Brody is smiling, clutching a toy, and slumping on a sofa in the three sweet photos. The tragic victim had happily captioned it ‘#BRODOGGY’.

READ MORE: Woman, 27, found battered to death in car park behind cinema after drinking at beach bar

And family and friends have poured into the comments of Tatum’s final post to express their sorrow and love for Tatum - with one person showing particular concern for her canine pal too. “If anyone knows what’s going on with her dog Brody plz lmk im very concerned and want to help make sure he is well taken care of,” they said.

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Tatum's Instagram shows her deep love for her dog - who's entire life she documented (tatumgoodwin/Instagram)

Tatum’s sister, Kaylee, took to social media to express her devastation, saying Tatum was “taken from this world by someone evil”. She continued: “I will never feel or be OK. My world is shattered. My family is shattered. I’m grieving and it’s so hard to see life after this. Please pray for my family during this time.”

She posted a slideshow of pictures with her, Tatum, and the rest of the family. In one heartbreaking post on her Instagram story, she wrote simply: “I need you”, alongside multiple photos of the two laughing together.

Brody is a regular feature on her Instagram, as she shows where her journey began with the small pup nine years ago. The cute rottweiler poses for the countless photos Brody takes of him throughout his life.

Tatum's sister said the family were "shattered" at her loss (lacey.pitino/Facebook)

Tatum was horrifically killed on Sunday, November 12 (lacey.pitino/Facebook)

But the comments on the latest post are truly heartbreaking, with friends, family, and friends of friends pouring in with loving tributes. “I didn't know you but my friend did,” writes one. “He is torn up and so is everyone else in laguna. You must have been amazing! I'm so sorry for what happened! I'm praying the person that did this is found and brought to swift justice. Rest in Peace sweet beautiful young lady.”

Another person wrote: “They will find out who did this. Justice for you girl. Laguna beach is small, many cameras in the downtown area…prayers to ur family and friends”. Devastatingly, a friend who is still unsure what happened replied asking: “what happened to her?”

“Shocked beyond comprehension!!” said a third. “The person or persons responsible WILL BE CAUGHT!!! don't you worry!! So much technology these days!!” While others responded with simple messages such as “love you, Tatum”.

Tatum's body was found in a car park 6 hours after screams were heard in the area (KLTV)

Marcos Heredia, owner of Carmelita's restaurant where she worked, said: "It’s affected not only me. It’s affected so much of our team. She definitely did not deserve this, just a beautiful person." Tatum’s friend Aleena Macintosh, said she was a “loving, honest person”, adding: "You just wouldn’t think that anything would happen to her. I can’t even think right now. To think this happened right across the street from my work and to someone we all loved so dearly. This world is too cruel to those who don’t deserve it."

A post-mortem on Tatum's body is being conducted by the Orange County Coroner’s Division. The family have also set up a GoFundMe to help them with funeral costs and to pay for a memorial to the young woman of San Clemente. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at (949) 497-0369.

Alex Croft