Mom's Boyfriend Charged In Trinity Love Jones Murder; Many Questions Remain

Police found him sleeping in his car near San Diego International Airport on Saturday and arrested him.

March 13, 2019
Emiel Lamar Hunt; Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]

Photo by: Emiel Lamar Hunt; Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]

Emiel Lamar Hunt; Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]

By: Catherine Townsend

LOS ANGELES, CA — A suspect has been charged with murder in the case of the nine-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag in Los Angeles, police say.


Emiel Lamar Hunt, 38, was charged Tuesday with one count of murder in connection with the death of Trinity Love Jones, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

County workers found Trinity’s body on March 5 near a horse trail in Hacienda Heights, ABC News reported. Police released sketches of the victim at the time and asked for the public’s help in identifying her.

Sketches of girl later IDed as Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles Sheriff's Department]

Photo by: Sketches of girl later IDed as Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles Sheriff's Department]

Sketches of girl later IDed as Trinity Love Jones [Los Angeles Sheriff's Department]

According to authorities, investigators believe that Hunt is the boyfriend of the victim’s mother. Police found him sleeping in his car near San Diego International Airport on Saturday and arrested him. His bail has reportedly been set at $2 million.

The Root reports that Hunt has a previous child-abuse conviction from 2005. He reportedly served up to 10 years in prison for the abuse of his own son.

Police have announced that a second person of interest, whom they are not identifying, has been detained. The sheriff's office has stated that "information regarding the second person of interest is being withheld pending further investigation."

Despite that, reports state that the victim's family is speaking out and sharing that the second person detained is the child's mother, Taquesta Graham. Graham is reportedly a registered sex offender, based on a case from 2009.

Trinity's family members are demanding answers, and want to know why she was allowed to be in the custody of Graham, because of her sex offender status.

The sheriff's office has also announced that it is withholding the exact cause of death.

Read more: The Root, ABC News, KTLA, KTLA (2)

Next Up

True Crime News Roundup: Prince Andrew Stripped Of Military Titles After Judge Allows Sex Abuse Case To Proceed

Plus: A Chicago mother is arrested in connection to the murder of her 6-year-old son; the convicted killer Robert Durst dies at age 78; Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ sentencing date is set; and an LGBTQ+ rights movement hero is found dead in a Florida landfill.

Accused Rapist & Murderer Fathers Children With Woman & Her Daughter; Now On The Run

Tomas Magallon Gonzalez is described as a master manipulator of people, especially children. He’s accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend's nine-year-old daughter for years and eventually fathering two children with her before killing her.

Fugitive Sherman Jackson Is On The Government's Elite G7 List Of Sexual Predators

Accused sexual predator Sherman Jackson is computer savvy, could be working as a tech in the industry. He may be connected to a church to have better access to children and could have multiple social media accounts. John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous. If you have any information, please call or text: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

The FBI Is Hoping You Can Help Identify This Male In Alleged Sexual Exploitation Case Involving Infant

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is hoping someone can identify a man they are calling, "John Doe 45." The suspect may have critical information about helping to identify an infant victim in a sexual exploitation investigation, agents said. If you know anything, please contact the FBI directly: 800-CALL-FBI.

Accused Child Molestor Jason Hines Is On The Run From Arizona

Investigators say Jason Hines is a "master manipulator" with a number of tattoos featuring skulls on his body. He could be meeting women on dating websites, especially those with young children. If you have any information on where Jason Hines is hiding out, please text our hotline. John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

‘In Pursuit With John Walsh’ And FBI Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitive Michael Pratt Captured

On Dec. 23, the FBI confirmed they captured fugitive Michael Pratt in Spain. Pratt was arrested in connection with the operation of the GirlsDoPorn adult website.

Judge Accused Of Recording Children On Bathroom Hidden Camera Kills Himself

During an FBI search, Jonathan Gray Newell allegedly ate a memory card that may have contained evidence.

UPDATE: Fugitive Leticia Smith from ‘In Pursuit With John Walsh’ Captured In Mexico

Authorities confirm former fugitive, Leticia Smith was extradited from Mexico to California. Smith will face charges for allegedly killing her husband, Antione Smith.

Mother Who Claimed 7-Year-Old Daughter Was Sick Sentenced To Prison After Girl Dies

“This is a despicable crime,” prosecutor says of Kelly Renee Turner approving “surgery after surgery” for the child.

U.S. Marshals Top 15 Most Wanted Found Dead In South Carolina

Frederick McLean was on the U.S. Marshals Top 15 Most Wanted since 2006. Investigators said McLean lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and Anderson, SC. He used a number of alises over the years and investigators are concerned other victims are still out there.