LOS ANGELES : Tests Fail to Explain Death of Girl Found in Concrete

Preliminary tests have failed to reveal what caused the death of an 8-year-old girl whose body was found entombed in a concrete-filled trash can, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Friday.

Still unanswered is the question whether Latoya Harris was alive when concrete was poured over her. “Additional toxicological tests will have to be performed,” said Scott Carrier, a spokesman for the coroner. “There was nothing there yet that will tell us exactly what she died from.”

Acting on a tip, police found the girl’s body Monday night behind a home in the 100 block of East 47th Street. Detectives said conflicting statements by two residents of the home--Latoya’s aunt, Maddie Moore, 43, who had been caring for the girl, and Moore’s 21-year-old-son, Maurice--led to their arrests on suspicion of murder.

Police said they still did not know of any motive for the slaying. The coroner’s office said the girl apparently had been dead for about a week when her body was found.