Rancho Palos Verdes is a city nestled on and among hills of the same name, with a current population of about 42,000 residents. Rancho Palos Verdes provides residents and visitors a magnificent vantage to take in the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is an idyllic spot to whale watch.

Overall, live in Rancho Palos Verdes is considered idyllic. The community is home to great eateries, wonderful stores, and an array of exciting entertainment options. The city also has some of the loveliest neighborhoods to be found in Southern California.

There are instances in which something occurs in Rancho Palos Verdes that clouds life in the community for some people, at least for some time. Some of these events have at least one thing in common. In the aftermath of certain incidents, the need arises for what is known as biohazard cleanup.

Common Situations Requiring Biohazard Cleanup

There are a number of more common types of situations that necessitate biohazard cleanup, also known as biohazard remediation. These include:

  • Homicides
  • Suicides
  • Homeless encampments
  • Hoarding cleanup

Where Is a Biohazard Cleanup Commonly Needed?

Biohazard cleanup is most often needed in homes, at businesses, and in motor vehicles. With these locations noted, a biohazard cleanup can be needed at any location at which dangerous biological pathogens might be present. In most instances, concern regarding the presence of dangerous pathogens arises from blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials.

Biological Hazard Cleanup Case in Rancho Palos Verdes

The crime rate in Rancho Palos Verdes is lower than in much of Southern California. With that said, there are instances in which a major crime that results in the need for biohazard cleanup occurs in the community.

The murder of Susan Leeds is one such tragic story. Leeds was stabbed to death in her Mercedes Benz SUV. The homicide occurred in the parking garage as a mall located in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Leeds was bleeding significantly in her SUV in the Promenade of the Peninsula Mall. When Rancho Palos Verdes arrived at the scene, the discovered that Leeds have been stabbed multiple times in her torso and her throat has been slit. Law enforcement concluded that the stabbing appeared to be a random act of violence.

There was a security camera in operation at the scene of the homicide. The camera videoed a man in the parking garage at about the time of the homicide.

The man was thought to be a transient from Rancho Palos Verdes. He was arrested at a later time on an unrelated charge. Despite the video, the police initially were not able to develop enough supporting evidence to charge the man with the homicide. He remained held in jail on the unrelated case, however.

The case was the first homicide in Rancho Palos Verdes in over 10 years.

Hiring a Rancho Palos Verdes Professional Biohazard Cleanup Specialist

The victim’s SUV was a new vehicle. The victim was survived by her husband and a couple of grown children. Once the investigation of the crime scene was completed, the family was given possession of the vehicle.

They then faced the gruesome task of having to clean the SUV. A family in this situation need not – in fact, should not – undertake biohazard cleanup on their own. There are a number of reasons why cleaning up following a homicide, suicide, or some other situation that leaves behind blood and other bodily fluids.

First, this type of situation presents a risk that a family member involved in the cleanup might be exposed to dangerous pathogens. Second, the emotional trauma associated with losing a family member by homicide is horrific enough. The situation need not be compounded by undertaking the grim and challenging task of cleaning up after the incident.

Rancho Palos Verdes Grief Counselors

There are experienced grief counselors in Rancho Palos Verdes that can assist a person in the aftermath of losing a loved one via suicide, homicide, or some other unexpected reason. These include:

Lurana Graham
28631 South Western Avenue, Suite 107
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
(310) 326-7766

Tatiana Harvey
5840 Finecrest Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes, California 90275
(310) 544-1728

These professionals can provide assistance to residents of Rancho Palos Verdes dealing with grief in a number of different ways. First, they can arrange for individual therapy and counseling. Second, they can also arrange for a person dealing with grief following a traumatic death to join a group therapy program. In some situations, both individual and group therapy is the recommended path for a person who has lost a loved by a traumatic death of some sort.

Image Courtesty of By Cedward Brice.

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