Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"She saw you sitting in a corner and she would start talking to you randomly like she would start a conversation with anybody." — Denora (Erica's sister, describing Erica's social nature)
"My heart, like literally I felt like if you're like on elevator or something and it just like dropped, I feel like if she would have told me anybody else, anybody else was the last person I would have been like hopeful." — Denora (Erica's sister, describing her immediate fear upon learning Larry was the last person to see Erica)
"According to the autopsy report, Erica was found in the fetal position, wrapped in layers of plastic bags, saran wrap and duct tape." — Britt (Narrator, detailing a key discovery in the investigation)
This episode of Crime Junkie recounts the unsettling case of Erica Alonzo, a 27-year-old woman who disappeared on Valentine's Day 2015. After making plans with her sister, Erica decided to spend the evening with her ex-boyfriend, Larry. They were last seen at the Sutra Lounge nightclub and later at Larry's house. When Erica failed to show up for work on Monday, her family contacted the police, initiating a search that would span over two months. The investigation was hampered by a lack of clear leads and the initial cooperation of Larry, whose account was corroborated by a mystery couple they met at the club.
The case took a concerning turn when Erica's car was found abandoned in a neighborhood near her home, despite no obvious signs of damage. The discovery of her body in a remote area of the Cleveland National Forest on April 28th, two and a half months after her disappearance, further deepened the mystery. The autopsy revealed significant bruising, contradicting initial reports of no trauma. The body was found wrapped in plastic bags, saran wrap, and duct tape, raising suspicions of homicide. However, toxicology reports later indicated a lethal amount of GHB and a high blood alcohol content, leading to a classification of death by overdose, though the circumstances of how the GHB entered her system and the disposal of her body remained unexplained and controversial for her family.
Despite the official cause of death, Erica's family remains convinced of foul play, pointing to the circumstances of her body's discovery and the unexplained presence of GHB. They have actively advocated for justice, leading to the passage of "Erica's Law" in California, which addresses charges related to concealing accidental deaths and body disposal. The case remains a source of frustration for the Alonzo family, who believe more could have been done by law enforcement and are seeking answers and accountability for what they perceive as a possible cover-up or negligent handling of the situation.