Crime & Safety
Detectives Search Restaurant for Missing Lomita Woman's Remains
Investigators Tuesday looked for the body of Dawn Viens, who has been missing for 16 months. She is the wife of David Viens, who jumped from an RPV cliff last week.
Investigators continued their search for a missing Lomita woman Tuesday, digging up parts of the floor of a cafe owned by her husband, David Viens, who jumped from an RPV cliff last week and is a suspect in her murder.
Dawn Viens, 39, has been missing for 16 months.
David, owner of Thyme Contemporary Cafe in Lomita, on suspicion of killing her.
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Detectives served search warrants at the restaurant and the floor was dug up in at least one spot. A cadaver dog helped search the property at 24427 Narbonne Ave.
Sheriff's homicide Lt. Dave Coleman said Viens closed the restaurant for
remodeling not long after his wife disappeared. The remodeling included pouring
cement, he said.
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Investigators had information Viens' vehicle was near Palos Verdes Drive West last Wednesday. Deputies followed Viens' car to Point Vicente Light House, sheriff's officials reported, where they saw Viens and his girlfriend in an altercation.
When police ordered Viens to stop what they believed was an act of domestic violence, Viens released his girlfriend, ran, and , according to sheriff's officials.
Viens survived the nearly 90-foot drop, but is in serious condition at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
He's expected to be charged with his wife's murder any day.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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