A dead woman whose body was found wrapped in plastic inside a man’s room in South Los Angeles by his horrified mother has been identified — but many questions remain about the grisly homicide.
The victim has been named as 30-year-old Hannah Rachel Collins, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
It was not immediately known how or when she died.
Authorities described the suspect in Collins’ killing as a 26-year-old Hispanic man, but they have not released his name as they continued searching for him Tuesday.
The case began unfolding around 1:15 a.m. Sunday, when the suspect’s mother walked into her son’s room to investigate a “distinct gas smell.”
Inside, the woman came upon the disturbing crime scene with Collins’ body bundled in plastic.
A social media picture of Hannah Collins, who family confirmed had been found in the South LA home Facebook/Lisa Collins
The Mississippi native’s body was found wrapped in plastic by the mother of a man suspected of having some connection to her death Facebook/Lisa Collins
The body of Hannah Collins, 30, was discovered wrapped in plastic inside a man’s room by his horrified mother. KABCParamedics who arrived pronounced Collins dead.
The homeowner’s son was nowhere to be seen at the time of the gruesome find.
It was unclear how long the 30-year-old victim had been in that room.
Collins had just celebrated her birthday two weeks ago, according to information released by the coroner’s office, which described the deceased as a Caucasian woman.
A family member confirmed to The Post Collins’ body was found at the home in South LA.
Collins, who is a Mississippi native, would check in weekly with her family, but the last time they heard from her was just after her birthday on August 7, the family member said.
A friend of Collins, who did not want to be identified, told The Post the pretty blonde was “fun, kind and loved music and dancing but, ultimately, drugs took a hold of her.”
Hannah Collins had just turned 30 days before her body was found Facebook/Lisa Collins
The man’s mother made the horrific discovery while investigating a “distinct gas smell.” KABCThe friend said Collins’ comes from a “wonderful family,” who tried their best to help her.
“She was very energetic and everyone who knew her loved her instantly,” said the friend. “She was very beautiful and even modeled. She was definitely sought-after and was very popular.”
The friend said she and Collins eventually drifted apart when Collins started to drink and use drugs.
“I don’t like to hang out with people who do drugs or are intoxicated while they’re driving or stealing things, and that’s when we grew apart,” the friend said.
“I’m in shock because what I want to associate with Hannah is the happier and healthier memories I have of her. She probably sought that lifestyle with drugs, but you never imagine the end would be so cold and cruel.”
A family friend told The Post Collins had just moved to Los Angeles a few weeks ago and she was looking for a job.
LA County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office officials confirmed to The Post that an autopsy on Collins’ remains was completed Wednesday morning, but the cause of death has been deferred.
The LAPD launched a homicide investigation, but officials have remained tight-lipped about its progress when asked by The Post.
There had been no arrests as of Tuesday morning.
