On Saturday, October 25, 2025, just before 3:30 p.m., Sacramento Police Department officers responded to a welfare check in the 2000 block of San Juan Road after family members reported they had not heard from their family member. Responding officers conducted a welfare check and did not locate the individual. A missing person report was generated, and detectives initiated a follow-up investigation.  

Detectives continued to follow up on this case. In the evening of November 6, Detectives executed a search warrant in the 2000 block of San Juan Road. During the search, a deceased individual was located inside of the residence. The caretaker, 41-year-old Christina Cowens of Sacramento was arrested and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail for charges related to unlawful disposal of human remains, grand theft, and conceal/attempt to conceal a death.

Following a continued and thorough investigation by Homicide Detectives, Cowens, who has remained in custody, is being charged with homicide and additional fraud-related offenses.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased after next-of-kin have been notified. 

The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this investigation to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.  Anonymous tips can also be submitted using the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app.