Family Upset After Told to Remove Memorial for Local Man Found Dead in Santa Barbara Apartment

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) – A grieving family is seeking answers after the suspicious death of a relative while facing another setback involving a memorial created in his honor.

Lawrence Brennen, 39, was found dead inside an apartment on Los Aguajes Avenue in Santa Barbara and Police arrested two people in connection with concealing his body.

His family initially placed a memorial outside the apartment before moving it to the rocks along Carpinteria Beach.

On Friday, family members were told by a local property representative to remove the tribute. They have since relocated it to Ninth Street.

Brennen's cousin, Ramon Vergara, expressed the family's frustration over the memorial's removal.

"This is very, very, very disappointing and frustrating that somebody would even think about taking down a vigil for somebody that just passed away," Vergara said.

He also described the impact his cousin had on those around him.

"He was friend. He was family to anybody. He came in contact with and that's the love that we want to be shown here," Vergara said.

The family is now inviting the community to a vigil Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. at Fourth Beach, near the intersection of Ash Avenue and Sandyland Road in Carpinteria.

Loved ones hope the gathering will bring the community together to honor Brennen while renewing their call for answers from the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed Brennen's cause of death and investigation remains ongoing.