Police identified the dead man as 39-year-old Lawrence Brennen while investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Two people have been charged in connection with the alleged concealment of a man’s body after Santa Barbara police conducting a welfare check uncovered what authorities described as suspicious circumstances inside a West Beach apartment.
Jenica Monique Ochoa, 45, and Kenneth Eugene Tompkins, 43, face charges including conspiracy and concealing a death, according to court records cited by PEOPLE and local news reports. Both have pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. Police identified the deceased man as Lawrence Brennen, 39, of Santa Barbara. Authorities have not announced how Brennen died, and neither defendant has been charged with causing his death.
The investigation began at about 9:37 p.m. Oct. 27, when Santa Barbara police were called to conduct a welfare check at a residence in the 100 block of Los Aguajes Avenue. Officers contacted a resident and found what police described as suspicious circumstances that led investigators to seek a search warrant.
Officers returned at about 6:45 a.m. Oct. 28 and served the warrant. Police said they found a deceased person inside the residence. The department’s Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case and described the circumstances surrounding the death as suspicious. Brennen’s identity was publicly confirmed several days later by Santa Barbara police.
Charging documents cited by SFGATE allege that Ochoa and Tompkins conspired to conceal the death between Oct. 23 and Oct. 27. Prosecutors allege Brennen’s body was wrapped in a bedroll, placed inside a metal container and the container was then covered in plastic wrap. The filing alleges the body was concealed from friends, relatives or law enforcement.
The charging documents do not explain how Brennen died. Police have not publicly released a cause or manner of death, and investigators have not announced evidence establishing that Ochoa or Tompkins caused his death. Authorities have said the investigation remains active.
Ochoa and Tompkins were arrested after the body was discovered and were arraigned on the charges. Court records also show both face second-strike allegations connected to earlier burglary convictions. They have denied those allegations as well. According to reports published this week, both defendants had been released from custody by Tuesday.
Police Commander Ben Ahrens told local news outlet Noozhawk that the investigation was complex and that authorities were awaiting additional information, including information from the coroner. Police had not released further details about what led to Brennen’s death as of Wednesday.
Ochoa and Tompkins are scheduled to return to court Nov. 30 for a preliminary hearing setting. The investigation into Brennen’s death remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced whether additional charges will be filed.