On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, Westmorland Police responded to a report of an unresponsive woman at an apartment in the 100 block of G Street.

On arrival, officers found 70 year old Maria Cruz on the floor, bleeding. Despite efforts of the responding officers and emergency medical personnel, Cruz died at the scene. During the initial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman's death, it was determined to be suspicious in nature. Westmorland Police requested assistance from the Imperial County Sherif's Office Investigations Unit and the Coroners Office and the Scientific Investigations Team. Investigators from the Sheriff's Office and the Imperial County District Attorneys Officer are following up on all evidence gathered at the scene in an effort to identify and apprehend the person or persons involved in the crime.