Ashley Moran: Young murder victim
mourned, SPPD seeks leads

By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula Times Services are being held Friday for a young Santa Paula woman who looked forward to becoming a medical assistant and loved the company of her nieces and nephews before she was found brutally murdered in an area park.

Ashley Moran, 21, found dead Saturday morning in Obregon Park, was in the early stages of pregnancy, according to a police official.

A man walking his dog in the neighborhood park discovered Moran’s body at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 15 on a secluded slope next to a basketball court. Obregon Park, bordered by Richard Road and San Clemente Street, is used  mostly by residents living in the quiet residential area consisting of single-family homes.

Santa Paula Police Lt. Ish Cordero said the cause of Moran’s death was “Multiple blunt force injuries to the body... they can’t pinpoint the exact cause of death as she was also stabbed,” in the neck.

But, noted Cordero, “She had blunt force injuries to the head, mostly trauma to her head and upper extremities.”

Moran, he added, “Was in the very early-early stages of pregnancy... “ 

A relative said Moran was expecting what would have been her first child. 

A weapon was used in the attack that investigator’s believe occurred at the park after about 10 p.m. Friday, March 14 when a witness reported seeing a car in the area. 

Moran’s own gray Honda Accord was discovered parked near the park and towed from the scene Saturday afternoon to be processed for evidence.

There are “no clear suspects at this time” and interviews are continuing with family members and friends of Moran and leads being developed.

“We’re still trying to determine who she was last in the company of,” Cordero said.

Moran lived with her family in Santa Paula but not in the Obregon Park neighborhood.

Moran was known as a “sweet girl” to her family and friends according to her stepsister Sandra Cantero of Santa Paula.

Moran had obtained the credits for her high school diploma and was to take part in the graduation ceremony at Sierra High School in Fillmore in June.

“Ashley was interested in  child development and worked with me at Barbara Webster Elementary School for about a year,” said Cantero who has worked at the school for seven years.

“Ashley loved kids,” but Moran’s career interest switched to becoming a medical assistant, which she was going to start training for next month.

Cantero said her stepsister enjoyed family time best: “She just loved hanging out with the family,” especially her nieces and nephews.