A 53-year-old California woman who disappeared from her home last Friday was found dead on the highway the next day in what police said was a hit-and-run.
Authorities said the woman, identified as Lisa Culp of San Bernardino County, left her home in Chino early in the morning of Oct. 4.
Her husband then reported her missing at 9:13 a.m. that same morning, according to a Chino Police Department news release.
Police contacted Culp’s friends and family, while also searching everywhere from local jails to hospitals and nearby parks.
The first concerning discovery came when officers found her silver 2010 Mercedes sedan abandoned at a gas station near the Central Avenue exit of the 60 Freeway.
Lisa Culp, pictured, was found dead on Freeway 60 in Chino, California, after leaving her home for an unknown reason
Surveillance video eventually led police to Culp’s body
“Chino Police Department personnel reviewed surveillance footage from the area and observed Culp walking away from the gas station and walking north on Central Avenue in the early morning hours of October 4,” police said.
Police continued to canvass the area, including searches of local hotels, but yielded no results.
A day later, on Saturday, October 5, police found more surveillance video of Culp, prompting them to expand their search to include “drones, all-terrain vehicles and officers on foot.”
“During the search, officers discovered the body of a deceased woman on the highway, who appeared to be involved in a traffic accident,” the press release said.
“The San Bernardino Coroner’s Office has identified the victim found on the highway as Culp.”
The missing person flyer for Culp was shared on Facebook before her death
This is the highway where Culp’s body was found by police
The California Highway Patrol is aware of the incident and has opened a hit-and-run investigation.
“The facts and circumstances surrounding Culp’s disappearance remain under investigation; However, there is no evidence of foul play at this time,” police said.
Lana Culp, Culp’s niece, shared a photo of her aunt on Facebook and wrote, “We love you Aunt Lisa.”
In her message, she also thanked everyone who prayed for the family and helped locate Culp while she was missing.
She added that funeral details would follow soon.