The body found in a duffel bag near the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco has been identified as Kelly Koike, a homeless woman who sometimes went by Kelly Brock.
On Sunday evening, around 7:30 p.m., the SFPD was called to an area near 22nd Avenue and Fulton Street bordering Golden Gate Park, where a dog walker reported coming across an unresponsive adult female.
Paramedics declared the individual dead at the scene. On Monday, the medical examiner informed the victim’s family that 37-year-old Kelly Koike had passed away.
The medical examiner allegedly said the cause of death was unclear as there was no obvious injury, but Kelly was naked from the waist down and placed into the duffel bag. The police are clearly treating this death as suspicious.
A statement by the SFPD reads, “Due to the suspicious nature of the death, investigators from the SFPD Homicide Detail responded to the scene and are leading the investigation. No arrests have been made, and this remains an open investigation.”
Sunday evening was the last night of the Outside Lands Music Festival, which had been running all weekend at Golden Gate Park, meaning the area was crammed with thousands of people when Kelly’s remains were discovered.
Who is Kelly Koike? Duffel bag victim lived on San Francisco streets
The victim’s mother, Roya Koike, spoke to the media from her home in Castro Valley, across the bay from San Francisco, where she described her daughter as “knockout gorgeous” and “beautiful.”
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelRoya explained that her daughter was homeless and had been living on San Francisco’s streets for about four years. She had stayed mainly by the courthouse because she was often in trouble with the law.
Kelly’s mom said her daughter had had mental illness for many years, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Roya added, “She was a good girl. She was messed up here [pointed at her head], but she got killed.”
Roya admitted that she always worried about her daughter’s mental health, even when she was at home. However, her anxiety worsened when Kelly refused help and hit the streets. “Being homeless in the city, I knew something bad would happen,” added Roya.
Kelly Koike remains found near Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park
The Outside Lands Music Festival released the following simple statement, “The San Francisco Police Department is currently investigating the reported matter, and all questions should be directed to their department.”
Members of the public speaking to local media outlet KRON 4 spoke of an “eerie feeling” in the area on Monday morning after the chaos of the previous evening. Witnesses said 40 to 50 officers had sealed off the area with police tape, and lots of people had been wandering the area due to the festival.
The police have asked that anyone with information please call the SFPD 24-hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.