Saturday, May 1, just before 12:30 p.m., the Garland Police Department and Garland Fire Department responded to an unknown medical call at an apartment community in the 800 block of La Prada Drive. When officers and paramedics arrived, they observed a woman identified as 57-year-old Lorita Bastiste, who was unconscious inside an apartment. There was obvious trauma to her body. Officers also observed a second woman inside the apartment, identified as 33-year-old Trametria Baldwin of Dallas, who appeared to have been involved in a physical altercation.
Bastiste was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced deceased.
Investigators learned that Bastiste lived at the apartment and Baldwin was visiting. Based on the investigation, homicide detectives believe there was a disturbance inside the apartment between Baldwin and Bastiste that escalated to the point at which a fight began. It is believed that during the altercation Baldwin killed Bastiste.
Baldwin is currently in the Garland Detention Center charged with murder. Her bond is set at $500,000.
The investigation is ongoing and detectives are working with the Dallas County Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.