Mother reported missing by Watsonville Police found dead north of Corralitos, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office released new details Tuesday surrounding surrounding the death of Lizbeth Arceo Sedano. According to their Forensic Pathologist, Sedano's cause of death was "multiple stab wounds to her torso" and her manner of death was homicide.

The Sheriff's Office confirmed the body of 25-year-old Lizbeth Arceo Sedano was recovered Sunday morning north of Corralitos. The Sheriff's office confirms her death is being ruled as a homicide.

Investigators said the body was reported around 9:40 a.m. along Eureka Canyon and Grizzly Flat Road.

When deputies arrived on scene they were able to confirm the body was that of Sedano's.

Sedano was reported missing by family members after the father of her child, Joshua Gonzalez, got in an altercation with Watsonville Police on Saturday night.

During the altercation, Gonzalez called dispatch and threatened to harm his daughter with a knife.

Police said they ultimately shot Gonzalez after he lunged at an officer.

"We can tell the individual did not put the knife down, charge the officer, and that's when the officer pulled a service weapon and shot at the individual," said Jorge Zamora, Watsonville Police Chief.

Afterward, police said they were concerned for Sedano's well-being in a social media post and were asking for help finding her.

"When I heard she was missing, you know, I was hoping that she was found alive. I messaged her on Instagram and I was like, hey, are you okay? And I got no response," said Mia Bermudez, a friend of Lizbeth.

Lizbeth's body was found the next morning on Sunday in this area along Eureka Canyon and Grizzly Flat Road about 30 minutes from Watsonville.

"When I found out that they found her body, I was in tears. I was I was heartbroken, you know, because she did not deserve that, you know, she was. She ripped away from a 3-year-old daughter. You know, her daughter's never going to see her mother again," said Bermudez.

According to the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office, someone had discovered the body and called it in.

"I saw the tape marked off on grizzly flats over here in front of the yellow gate. And there was a sheriff's car on the other side of the tape, and the lights were flashing on the car, and I was wondering what was going on," said Mike Siegler who lives in Santa Cruz County where the body was found

Officials are ruling her death as a homicide.

"We're not leaving any stone unturned. Detectives are currently working on interviewing, people, going through forensic evidence, and waiting for, forensic evidence to come back as well," said Ashley Keehn with the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office.

According to Watsonville police, Gonzalez has a violent past.

"Charges or arrest reports are backdating back to 2018. And it's usually although those arrest reports are against first responders with police officers, medics or firefighters that are, come in contact with him," said Zamora.

Lizbeth leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, now in custody with her mom's family according to police.

"She was an amazing mom, and, she loved her daughter very, very much. And she was a great person, a great friend. And she just. Didn't deserve this and knew what happened to her," said Bermudez.

Investigators say results from the autopsy are expected tomorrow and at this time Gonzalez is not facing homicide charges, but this could change as the investigation continues.

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Watsonville PD: Officer shoots man threatening to hurt daughter, concerned about mother's well-being

Watsonville Police said an officer shot a man threatening to hurt his three-year-old daughter on Saturday night.

Police said the man, identified as Joshua Gonzalez, called dispatch and told staff he was armed with a knife and was going to hurt his daughter.

Investigators said the officer got out of his patrol car and told Gonzalez to drop the knife, but Gonzalez ignored commands and charged at the officer.

Police said Gonzalez was taken to a trauma center but is expected to be okay. The child wasn't hurt and is being taken care of by other family members.

The District Attorney's office is investigating the officer involved shooting at this time.

According to police, they weren't able to get ahold of the mother, Lizbeth Arceo Sedano. Family's attempts to contact her were also unsuccessful.

The investigation is ongoing.

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