AZ man charged with murder of woman whose body was found in car's trunk in Huntington Beach

An Arizona man was charged with murder Wednesday for killing an estranged girlfriend whose body was found in the trunk of a car parked outside his parents' Huntington Beach home Monday evening. 

AZ man charged with murder of woman whose body was found in the trunk of a car in Huntington Beach

Officers responded to the 17000 block of Friml Lane around 5:15 p.m. Monday after receiving reports of a family disturbance at the residence, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department.

"Upon arrival, patrol officers contacted the involved parties and secured the location," police said in a statement. "During the initial investigation, officers located a deceased adult female. She had passed away under suspicious circumstances."

Police said that based on interviews and evidence located at the scene, Rodriguez was arrested and booked on one count of murder.

In Holbrook, Arizona, police had issued a bulletin on Monday about Romero going missing, and identifying Rodriguez, her estranged boyfriend, as a suspect in the case. Police said when they went to the home Monday morning she and her car were both missing.

Holbrook police said Romero and Rodriguez had lived together, but when Romero got a protective order against him last week, he was removed from the home.

The bulletin from Holbrook police included a photo of Romero's red, 1995 Plymouth Neon sedan that was believed to have been stolen by Rodriguez. The photo appears to match the sedan where the body was found in Huntington Beach.

"It is believed that Richard Rodriguez may have forced his way into Christi's residence and forced her to leave," the bulletin stated. 

Holbrook police confirmed that Rodriguez drove to his parents' house in Huntington Beach, and police were called.