California makes this difficult, and they might actually make it impossible. The reason is that they have more strict emissions standards than the other 49 states, and so with the exception of legally recognized heroes-who-can-do-no-wrong, i.e. military personnel, they don't want non-California vehicles. See Before Buying a Vehicle From Out of State - Be Sure You Can Register It in California FFVR 29.

But she might be allowed to use the Application for Duplicate Title form. Depending on whether that form is only for California cars with a lost title, or for any car with a missing title. And she isn't looking to register 49-state car; only title it so it can be sold. I would read the above, then get on the phone with the California DMV and see what they tell her to do.

I would also get on the phone with the nearest junkyard. They probably know how to deal with this sort of thing. They might be also willing to come get the car and crush it for steel, under the table without a lot of legalistic niceties. I used to be in that business 25 years ago, and you kind of did whatever you could get away with, as long as nobody called the cops. Obviously, they're not going to admit that in writing on their web site or in an email, so speak on the phone or in person.

If that fails, Google up a service that connects drivers with car owners needing to move their cars to another state. Ideally to a state willing to junk the car without a title.