8 People Held in Slaying of Laguna Niguel Man

Eight people have been arrested in connection with the slaying of a Laguna Niguel man whose body was found under a pile of wood in the back of a pickup truck that was pulled over by police last month.

Huntington Beach police were conducting an undercover investigation April 6 when they stopped the truck in Riverside County.

When officers searched the vehicle, they said they discovered the body of Cory Lamons, 26, wrapped and hidden under some wood, authorities said.

Four people who were riding in the truck and a second vehicle following it were taken into custody but not immediately charged in the case.

One person was released, while the others were held on outstanding warrants or for parole violations.

On Sunday, police said Billy Johnson, 40, of Costa Mesa; Suzanne Miller, 24, of Mission Viejo and Jason Karr, 39, of Riverside were arrested on suspicion of murder. Erin Brooks, 19, of San Juan Capistrano was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

In addition, police arrested Craig Tanber, 26, of Rossmoor; Logan Stewart, 24, of Capistrano Beach, and Julie Parker, 24, and Patrick Carroll, 24, both of Huntington Beach. All are being held on suspicion of murder.

Police said Johnson and Karr were members of a white supremacist gang but said the killing was not racially motivated. Authorities did not give a possible motive or any details.

The cause of Lamons’ death is unclear; toxicology tests are being conducted, a coroner’s official said.

An attorney representing Johnson, who was driving the truck when it was stopped, said his client was asked to drive the truck and was unaware that there was a body in the back.