Christy Giles death: Model dies after being dumped outside Los Angeles hospital
Christy Giles’ lifeless body left on street by group of disguised men, says husband
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A model’s body was found dumped on a sidewalk outside a Los Angeles hospital and her family say they believe foul play was involved in her death.
Christy Giles, 24, died of a suspected drug overdose following a night out with friends in the city, which left another woman hospitalised in critical condition.
Giles’ husband, Jan Cilliers, says video footage shows her being left outside Southern California Hospital in Culver City, California, by a group of men who hid their identities with bandanas and drove off in a car without license plates.
Mr Cilliers was away in San Francisco last weekend and says that his wife and a friend, Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, met some men at a party in the city before ending up at an apartment in West LA.
“I’ve got all the messages that she exchanged with anybody else that night and she was texting Marcela, the girl that she was with, at 5.30am saying let’s get out of here with the wide eye emoji,” Mr Cilliers told ABC7.
“The loss is just so hard. People share these amazing videos that they have with her and it just brings back her energy. I know I’ll never get to see her or kiss her or touch her again and it is just so heartbreaking.”
Authorities say that 12 hours later her body was left outside the hospital, while Ms Cabrales-Arzola was left outside Kaiser Permanente hospital in West LA, where she remains in a critical condition.
“Marcela’s toxicology report came back, and I guess they found heroin in her system, which is nothing that either of those girls would ever do, not voluntarily,” Mr Cilliers said.
The LAPD says that a preliminary investigation points to a possible overdose, which turned fatal.
A GoFundMe account has now raised more than $86,000 to launch an investigation in the case.
“We appreciate any donations that will provide the resources needed in order to put a concrete case together to bring justice for both of these beautiful, innocent young women who are no longer with us,” the family said on the GoFundMe page.
“Moreover, to protect every other female out there who has been or could be grossly affected in a similar way.”
A separate GoFundMe has also raised more than $10,000 for Ms Cabrales-Arzola’s medical expenses.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments