The body of a woman found in the Santa Ana River on New Year’s Day has been identified by family members as that of a local mother of two.
The Orange County Fire Department said crews responded to reports of a body in the river near Warner and Harbor avenues shortly before noon on Jan. 1. Officials said the rapids carried the woman about two miles downstream, and rapid-water rescue teams were dispatched.
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On January 1, 2026, a ladder was used to retrieve the body of a woman found in the Fountain Valley area of the Santa Ana River. (Citizen Application)
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On January 1, 2026, the woman’s body was placed in a Stokes basket and lifted from the Santa Ana River. (Citizen Application)
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On January 1, 2026, a ladder was used to retrieve the body of a woman found in the Fountain Valley area of the Santa Ana River. (Citizen Application)
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On January 1, 2026, a female body was discovered in the Fountain Valley area of the Santa Ana River. (Citizen Application)
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On January 1, 2026, a ladder was used to retrieve the body of a woman found in the Fountain Valley area of the Santa Ana River. (Citizen Application)
Firefighters found the woman’s body in the Fountain Valley area near Ellis Avenue and used an aerial ladder to lower crews into the river, where they placed her in a Stokes basket and fished her out of the water. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members later identified the woman as 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres, who left behind two daughters, ages 11 and 16, according to a GoFundMe created by relatives.
“This sudden and heartbreaking loss has deeply impacted our family,” the fundraiser said. “We are doing everything we can to support Alejandra’s daughters as they face an uncertain future without their mother.”
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In an undated photo, Alejandra Ramirez Torres, 39, is seen with her two daughters. (go support me)
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Alejandra Ramirez Torres’ two daughters appear in an undated photo. (go support me)
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In an undated photo, 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres (top left) is seen with her partner and two daughters. (go support me)
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In an undated photo, 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres (top right) is seen with her partner and two daughters. (go support me)
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In an undated photo, Alejandra Ramirez Torres, 39, is seen with one of her two daughters. (go support me)
Officials said Torres was homeless at the time of his death, the Orange County Register reported. The exact circumstances that led to her falling into the water have not been released and are still under investigation.
The fundraiser says donations will help pay for funeral expenses and provide immediate and long-term support for Torres’ daughters.
Vanessa Garcia contributed to this report.
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