Member Center

The Main Stream

Missing teenager's body found in California landfill

Posted: Aug 5, 2010 1:00 PM

Bookmark and Share
Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

FONTANA, Calif. (AP) - The remains of a pregnant teenager were found in a landfill after months of searching, authorities said Thursday.

Anyssia Escamilla, 17, disappeared in May and shortly afterward her boyfriend was charged with her death.

Authorities aided by dogs covered two landfills before finding the body in a dump in Corona, police said.

Escamilla, the mother of a 3-year-old son from another relationship, was reported missing on May 11 when she failed to return home from Bloomington High School.

Police said her boyfriend, 18-year-old Jesus Avitia Jr., told detectives he killed Escamilla and placed her body in a trash can near his home. Her body apparently was never seen by trash-truck drivers who use a robotic arm to empty cans.

Avitia has pleaded not guilty to murdering the girl and her 3-month-old fetus. The charges carry a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murder that could make him eligible for the death penalty.

Detectives did not know how Escamilla was killed because Avitia gave conflicting statements, police said.

Investigators also were trying to determine a motive.

Escamilla's family said Avitia's family didn't approve of him seeing a girl who already had a child. Her parents said the two had been dating for about a year.

Comments

KVOA.com is Social!

Most Popular

DON'T MISS THESE!

Thumbnail
TUCSON TOGETHER

Volunteer. Donate. Be Kind.

Thumbnail
KRISTI'S KIDS

Stories and videos with Kristi's Kids

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON LIFESAVER

Pool safety information and prize giveaways!

Thumbnail
KVOA.COM LATEST CONTESTS

Win! Win! Win!

Thumbnail
NEWS 4 TUCSON @ 4

What's happening on News 4 @ 4

Thumbnail
ADVERTISE WITH KVOA.COM

Let us help grow your business

Thumbnail
COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What's happening?

Thumbnail
KVOA PROGRAM SCHEDULE

What's on KVOA and when!

Thumbnail
ENJOY TUCSON

Money-saving coupons from retailers around the city!

Thumbnail
MEET US!

KVOA's on air personalities!