SAN LEANDRO — A 19-year-old man was behind bars after his arrest on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman found Monday morning near Chabot Dam, authorities said.
East Bay Regional Park District police said the body was discovered about 3:30 a.m. near the dam, which is on East Bay Municipal Utility District property and releases water from Lake Chabot. EBRPD police, which have jurisdiction for the property, say they consider it a “suspicious death.”
In a statement Monday, San Leandro police said a person came to them with information about the body and led officers to its location. EBMUD staff and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted in the investigation, parks police said.
The Alameda County Coroner’s Office was on the scene about 9:45 a.m. to remove the body. An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.
About 1:15 p.m., EBRPD police arrested Anthony Pimentel on suspicion of homicide. Although police said they had not identified the victim, Pimentel family members gave investigators information leading them to believe she is 18-year-old Mariah Davis. In statements, members of Davis’ family confirmed that belief.
In social media posts late last week, people seeking Davis said she had last been seen with Pimentel on Sept. 23 at La Piñata restaurant, 2699 Merced St., and that Davis’ car had been found in San Leandro,
Pimentel was held without bail Monday evening at Santa Rita Jail, and faces a 2 p.m. Wednesday arraignment hearing at Dublin’s East County Hall of Justice, according to county records.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call EBRPD police at 510-881-1833.
Contact Harry Harris at 510-208-6443. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.