On December 8, 2024, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the body of 35-year-old Charlene Matson was discovered in a field near Second Street and the San Gabriel River in East Long Beach, California. The discovery followed the extinguishment of a brush fire in the area. Initial assessments by the Long Beach Police Department indicated that the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious, though specific details were not immediately available.
Subsequent investigations by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office revealed that Matson had died from a gunshot wound to the head. This finding confirmed the initial suspicions of foul play.
Prior to this incident, Matson had encountered legal issues. On August 4, 2024, she was arrested in Orange County, California, for possession of a narcotic controlled substance. Additionally, on July 21, 2016, she faced charges for possession of controlled substance paraphernalia in Orange County.
As of December 28, 2024, there have been no public reports of arrests or identified suspects in connection with Matson's death. The Long Beach Police Department continues to investigate the case, seeking information from the public to assist in identifying those responsible for her homicide. Authorities have not released further details regarding potential motives or leads in the investigation.
