On the morning of June 15, 2009, the body of 38-year-old African American female Tammy Jo Charland was discovered in an alley off the 3000 block of Main Street in San Diego's Barrio Logan neighborhood. A passerby noticed the body wrapped in a comforter and, upon attempting to rouse her without success, contacted emergency services. Responding officers and firefighters pronounced her dead at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed signs of trauma, and an autopsy later confirmed that Tammy Jo Charland had been sexually assaulted and strangled. Her death was classified as a homicide.
Tammy Jo Charland had a challenging life, marked by periods of homelessness and struggles with substance abuse. She was the eldest of four siblings and had drifted apart from her family over the years. At the time of her death, she was married to Larry Perry, whom she had wed nine months prior. The couple, both experiencing homelessness, had been supporting each other in efforts to overcome their circumstances. Perry recounted that on the day of her death, they had discussed plans for him to seek treatment for substance abuse in hopes of improving their lives. Tammy Jo Charland was remembered by her husband as a generous and caring individual who would give the shirt off her back to help others.
Despite ongoing investigations, no arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Tammy Jo Charland. San Diego Police Department detectives have indicated that DNA evidence was collected from the crime scene; however, it has not matched any profiles in existing databases. The case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to seek information from the public that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the perpetrator. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 580-8477.
