LOS ANGELES — New details about the past of the suspect in a homicide case involving a complex romantic relationship in Los Angeles are emerging, as a close family friend says the violent behavior was “not a surprise.”
The suspect, 27-year-old Emily Emerald Vogdt, is currently charged with the murder of Carla Maribel Rodriguez on March 22 at a home in the Beverly Grove area, and is also accused of animal cruelty resulting in the death of the victim’s dog.
“Not a surprise” — accounts from a family acquaintance
Mr. Gustavo Mosquera, a close family friend, said he was not surprised to hear about the case.
“That family has a lot of trauma. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was involved in drugs or caused something serious,” he said.
According to Mr. Mosquera, Vogdt had a directionless childhood, a complex family dynamic, and lacked guidance.
Signs of instability in youth
The family friend stated that since her teens, Vogdt had changed her style of dress and behavior, often expressing herself with a masculine image.
Additionally, several disturbing behaviors were recorded in the past, including:
Firing a gun inside the house as a child, with bullets piercing and affecting the surrounding area, similar to the incident where a woman was arrested after firing shots at a celebrity’s mansion. Altercations with her mother, causing serious injuries. Dropping out of school and living in isolation from the community.
Neighbors described Vogdt as a reclusive person who communicated very little.
Family and inheritance
Vogdt’s grandmother, Paula Vogdt, owned several valuable properties in Los Angeles and was the financial provider for her daughter Anita and her granddaughter.
After her death, according to Mosquera, Vogdt and her mother began spending the inheritance rapidly.
He stated that the two did not have steady jobs and faced many difficulties managing the assets. Some properties were neglected and later sold to investors.
Vogdt’s mother, Anita, passed away in 2022 at the age of 65.
Case proceedings
According to authorities, the victim, 48-year-old Carla Maribel Rodriguez, was shot multiple times at her home in an incident identified as a conflict in a personal relationship.
The body was discovered around 8:30 AM that same day, along with the victim’s dog, which was also found dead at the scene.
The suspect, Vogdt, is currently held on more than $3 million bail. She is facing charges of murder and animal cruelty. The first court hearing is scheduled for April 29, 2026.
