Authorities release more details in killing of California woman last seen at a bar in 2022

California authorities have released new details in the case of a woman found dead on the side of the road in 2022.

Karla Terron was last seen alive at a local bar on North Hagar Street in San Fernando, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

Around 5 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2022, her remains were found on southbound State Route 99, near an off-ramp in Bakersfield. Her body had been burned but she died from multiple stab wounds, authorities said in April.

Authorities held a press conference Thursday to again ask for the public’s help finding out who is responsible for her death, revealing new details in Terron's case.

Lt. Michael Modica said that on Dec. 16 2022, Terron met some acquaintances at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. She then went to a home in San Fernando, where she was murdered. 

“Detectives have identified a white 2021 Honda CR-V, which is believed to be the vehicle used to transport Karla's body from San Fernando to Bakersfield,” Modica said. “Detectives impounded and examined that vehicle. Detectives were able to identify DNA evidence that Karla’s body had been in the rear cargo area of that vehicle.”

He said investigators are not trying to relocate the vehicle but they do want to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle around the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, near Knox Street in San Fernando, or the city of Bakersfield the night of Dec. 16, 2022 or the morning of Dec. 17, 2022.

Modica said Terron’s phone still hasn’t been found and authorities would like to speak to someone who may have found a phone in San Fernando or Bakersfield after Dec. 17, 2022.

“Detectives are also aware of second and third hand information that individuals reported hearing a gunshot in the area of Knox Street around the time they believe Karla was murdered,” he said.

Since Terron's remains were found, investigators have pleaded with the public multiple times to find clues about her death, also posting in July.

Modica said Terron was 27 years old at the time of her death and worked as a waitress at a restaurant near the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. She had two daughters who are now 8 and 10 years old.

“She was a good, upstanding citizen and she lived here in San Fernando,” he said at the press conference.

He said her loved ones are devastated after losing Terron and don’t want to speak to the press.

Authorities are hoping to piece together what happened to her.

He added that “it's a very close timeline from leaving here to her body being dumped in Bakersfield.”

Investigators ask that anyone with information about Terron’s case call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].