The woman found dead inside a duffel bag next to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco was identified as 37-year-old Kelly Koike, who also went by Kelly Brock.
Her mother, Roya Koike, spoke out Monday from the Castro Valley home where Kelly grew up and where she lived until about four years ago.
“I don’t think it’s a hate crime," Roya said. "I do know she would go to extremes from nothing ... I think that’s most likely what happened."
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Roya said she’s still numb after getting the call from the medical examiner Monday morning.
“‘Yesterday they find your daughter in duffel bag. A dog walker find her,’” said Roya.
Roya said the medical examiner told her there was no blood or immediate indication of what caused Kelly's death, just that she was in a duffel bag and had no clothing below her waist.
“She was beautiful. ‘Was,’ I can’t believe it, ‘was,’” said Roya.
Inside her daughter’s beautiful exterior, Roya said Kelly was tormented by schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and more.
Kelly resisted medication and treatment, Roya said, and for the past four years had lived on the streets of San Francisco, mostly right outside the courthouse for convenience because she was often in trouble with the law.
“She was a good girl. She was messed up here, but she got killed,” said Roya.
Roya said she hopes to learn more when the medical examiner finishes a full autopsy.
For now, she just wants to mourn her daughter’s death and urge for more mandatory mental health care for the unhoused who suffer from severe cases and multiple disorders like her daughter.
“But again, if you don’t want to participate, you don’t think there’s something wrong with you, then you can’t hold them,” said Roya.
