Woman’s Body Found Inside Duffle Bag at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park
By [Author Name]
San Francisco, CA – The body of a woman was discovered inside a duffle bag at Golden Gate Park on Sunday evening. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Kelly (Brock) Koike of San Francisco, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
On Monday evening, the victim’s mother, Roya Koike, spoke to reporters about the devastating news. She revealed that her daughter, who was unhoused, was found dead in a duffle bag by a dog walker. Roya described the conversation she had with the coroner, recounting the harrowing details of the discovery.
Roya shared that her daughter had been living on the streets of San Francisco and battled a mental illness. Despite her struggles, Kelly had a lifelong passion for makeup and design- even changing her eye color to all white at one point.
“I know deep, deep down in her, without this part here (pointing to her head), she’s a good girl. She has a messed up here (pointing to her head), but she got killed?” Roya said, expressing her grief and confusion.
The police have classified the death as suspicious, and investigators worked late into the night on Sunday at Golden Gate Park. So far, no arrests have been made.
Roya reminisced about the good times she shared with Kelly, like family trips to Benihana and her daughter’s graduation from culinary school. However, the mental challenges that surfaced during her teenage years eventually overtook her life.
The discovery of the body in a duffle bag sent shockwaves through the neighborhood. Near the area where the incident occurred, thousands of Outside Lands festival-goers had gathered over the weekend.
“It’s horrifying. It’s a very sad, sad circumstance,” expressed Michele Hunnewell, a neighbor who witnessed the police presence at the scene. “Everybody came out of the house because the officers were there. They had it all taped off. And people were just aghast.”
Reflecting on the incident, Megan Hiatt, a resident who grew up in The Richmond, expressed her dismay. “I have a 12-year-old that I would normally be happy to let them wander through the park by themselves. So yeah, completely horrifying…”
Despite the shocking discovery, some residents expressed that they still feel safe in the area. They believe that isolated incidents should not dictate the freedom and enjoyment of the park.
The San Francisco Police Department is actively investigating the case as a homicide. They are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the SFPD 24-hour Tip Line or utilize the Text a Tip service.
The tragic death of Kelly Koike serves as a reminder of the hardships faced by the unhoused population and the importance of mental health support. Her mother, Roya, hopes that her daughter’s story will encourage those struggling with similar challenges to seek the necessary treatment and assistance.
“This is very sad. She was a knockout gorgeous, I mean she was beautiful,” Roya said, reflecting on her daughter’s life and the loss that she now mourns.