Long Beach police on Monday were investigating the death of a 9-year-old girl who was found stabbed to death in a church parking lot next to a man suspected of being her killer.

The man, who police believe may be her father or stepfather, had suffered self-inflicted wounds but had survived, according to investigators. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder after the girl was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

KCAL 9, quoting family members, identified the man as Jacinto Trujillo. A Long Beach police spokeswoman declined to confirm, but the Los Angeles County sheriff’s online booking system showed Trujillo, 31, was being held at Twin Towers jail in downtown Los Angeles in lieu of $1 million bail.

Investigators said they were trying to piece together a motive for why the man allegedly stabbed the girl in her upper body, then attempted suicide. Next to the girl’s body in the lot at the corner of Woodruff Avenue and Willow Street were letters written in blood on the side of what appeared to be a gray shipping container that authorities are considering as evidence in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Long Beach homicide Dets. Scott Lasch and Donald Goodman at (562) 570-7244, or submit anonymous tips at www.tipsoft.com.

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-- Victoria Kim