The search for missing Northern California girl Kiely Rodni came to a sad conclusion Monday when law enforcement officers said remains found in a sunken car are “more than likely.” 16 years old.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the matter as an accident, officials said.
The vehicle was found sunday in Prosser Lake, in Truckee, about 35 miles west of Reno, Nevada, near Adventures with a purposea private collective of divers who had helped in the search?.
“We found a deceased person in the vehicle. We believe it is our missing person,” Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon told reporters. “We have not been able to positively identify (the victim) but it is more than likely where we are now.”
Television news crews captured footage of what appeared to be a silver SUV being pulled from the water on Sunday.
Seekers were looking for Rodni and her car, a silver 2013 Honda CRVfor weeks.
Volunteer searchers on Monday shared images of the submerged SUV, which turned out to display a California license plate that matches Rodni’s SUV.
Rodni was last seen on Aug 6along with hundreds of other teens partying at the nearby Prosser Family Campground, in an area known as “The Sanctuary” in Truckee.
The girl disappeared, seemingly without a trace, and authorities were initially concerned that their search was being delayed by witnesses who were hesitant to come forward because of underage drinking that may have taken place at the meeting.
During the search for Rodni, Placer County sheriffs said they only wanted information about the missing girl — and had no interest in arresting or prosecuting minors who may have been drinking or using drugs at the party.
Adventures with a purpose on Monday thanked the local police for their permission to search for Rodni.
Later this week, those divers plan to take their gear to Selma, California, hoping to find it there 22 year old Jolissa Fuenteswho has not been seen since August 6.
The team also hopes to help San Luis Obispo law enforcement officers with their: look for Annette Adamswho was last heard from on April 25.
“Hug your loved ones a little tighter. Please take your time because we never know when it will be our last chance to do so. I hope, as tragic as this outcome has turned out, it will stay that way so we can help the next family we’ve done here,” said diver Nick Rinn.
“Keep the Rodni family in your thoughts and prayers as we are,” he said.