Maria Castro, 77 [Updated]

Maria Castro, a 77-year-old Latina, died Tuesday, March 20, after being injured in the 8900 block of South Virginia Avenue in South Gate, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said that at the time of Castro's death, she was attending a party. She was located in the backyard of a home where there was a campfire.

At some point, someone threw a can of spray paint in the fire and it exploded.

Castro was struck by the explosion and suffered second- and third-degree burns. She later suffered sepsis and died, Winter said.

The coroner's office said an exact cause of death has been deferred pending additional lab tests. Results will not be available for at least six to eight weeks.

Although suspects were taken into custody after the incident, it was unclear if they were charged with her death, Winter said.

[Update Jan. 24, 2013: Officials later determined she died from multiple system organ failure caused by pneumonia and sepsis. Her death was determined to be a homicide.]

Anyone with information about Maria Castro's death is asked to contact the South Gate Police Department at (323) 563-5400. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times