Daleza Fregoso and her father, 40-year-old Ruben Fregoso, were last seen Sunday morning near Alsace Avenue and Ferndale Street in Los Angeles.
On Monday afternoon, officers conducted a welfare check and found a woman dead at a home on South Alsace Avenue in West Adams, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Investigators say the woman "died as a result of violence."
The victim's husband, Fregoso, has been identified as a person of interest in her death. Fregoso and the couple's daughter have not been found, which triggered an Amber Alert several hours after the woman was found dead.
Investigators have learned that Fregoso made statements indicating he intended to flee the country and has family in Mexico. They believe that's where he took the 5-year-old girl.
Fregoso and the child were initially believed to be in a white 2019 Land Rover Discovery with California license plate 9DAW715, according to California Highway Patrol. The vehicle was later located near the U.S.-Mexico border, but the father and daughter were not found.
Neighbors say the mother and daughter were fixtures in the neighborhood, always friendly, eager to talk or pet a dog.
"I'm hoping that the baby didn't see anything that could scar her for life. My prayers are just with the family," said neighbor Carrie Coleman. "She's just a cute little kid. A sweetheart. The girl is just so sweet, so young."
Coleman's demeanor changed when she was asked about the father.
"Now, I have seen him quite a bit, several occasions," Coleman said. "Pretty much every time you see him, he got a beer can in his hand."
A friend of the girl's mother, whom she identified as Marysol Garcia, told Eyewitness News she believes Ruben may have gotten violent when he drank. She said the couple had been in a relationship for years.
"I'm worried because if he did something to her, he can also do something to the little girl," the friend said in Spanish. "But I do know he was aggressive, and he drank a lot of alcohol."
The friend said she grew worried when she was unable to reach Garcia for days.
"My friend told me she thinks he killed her," the woman said in tears. "He did. He did kill her."
Daleza is described as 3 feet tall, weighing 45 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Ruben is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Robbery Homicide Division, South Bureau Section detectives at (323) 786-5100.