***UPDATE***

On March 9, 2009, the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office filed murder charges against Adel Chapel, a 24 year old resident of the City of Santa Monica.  Chapel is suspected of murdering Denise Figueroa shortly after she was last seen by her family in late February.  Chapel had been in a relationship with Figueroa and the investigation is continuing into the circumstances surrounding her murder.

Adel Chapel is currently in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for a carjacking that occurred in West Los Angeles in late February.  He was arrested by Los Angeles Police detectives on March 3, 2009 in the City of Santa Monica.  Chapel is currently under investigation for a series of violent crimes throughout the San Fernando Valley that have occurred within the last few weeks. 

The Los Angeles Police Department continues to seek information regarding both Adel Chapel and Denise Figueroa in regards to this murder.  The Department is also asking for the individual that sent information to a local media outlet to come forward and assist in the investigation into this brutal murder.      

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible for the murder of a 22-year-old North Hills woman.

On March 7, 2009, acting on a tip received through a local television station, North Hollywood Area officers searched portions of Studio City for a vehicle belonging to missing person Denise Figueroa.  Officers located the vehicle in the 11700 block of Hortense Street.  The remains of a female adult were discovered in the trunk compartment of the vehicle.  Los Angeles County Coroner’s investigators later positively identified the victim as Denise Figueroa.

Denise Figueroa had left a relative’s residence on Saturday, February 28, 2009 and did not return as expected.  Days later, based on concern for her safety, Denise Figueroa was reported missing.  The Missing Persons Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department had been responsible for investigating her disappearance.

Anyone with information about this murder is asked to call North Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 818-623-4075.  After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to our 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.