Jesus Francisco Avitia Jr., 18, Anyssia Katherine Escamilla, 17 (Fontana Police Dept.) |
FONTANA, Calif. -- Authorities in Fontana say they have found the remains of a missing pregnant teenager at a landfill in Corona.
Searchers began looking for the remains of 17-year-old Anyssia Katherine Escamilla in May after her boyfriend admitted to killing her and dumping her body in the trash.
The remains were found Wednesday afternoon by a search dog, according to investigators who spent 78 days searching landfills in Rialto and Corona.
"We were looking for the remains of a 5 foot 4 inch, 120 pound girl in 30,000 tons of rubbish," said Sgt. Billy Green of the Fontana Police department during a news conference.
Police received confirmation Thursday morning from the coroner's office that the remains were those of Escamilla
Prosecutors say 18-year-old Jesus Avitia Jr. told police he killed Escamilla and dumped her body in a trash can near his home.
She was reported missing on May 11 when she failed to return home from school. Escamilla was three months pregnant with Avitia's baby. She also has a 3-year-old son from another relationship.
The Escamilla family, through their tears, thanked the searchers for making sure their baby wasn't left to be buried in a dump.
"Thank the Lord for bringing Anyssia home," Priscilla Escamilla, Anyssia's mother said. Priscilla Escamilla went to the landfill where they found her daughter's body yesterday afternoon when she heard searchers were about to give up looking for Anyssia. She called out to her daughter and within an hour, she received word that searchers had finally found what they were looking for.
"We miss you so much. Although you are not here in body, your presence remains in our hearts," Jorge Escamilla said as he tried to hold back tears.
Investigators believe Avitia killed Escamilla because she was pregnant and wanted to have the baby against his wishes. They say with his confession and now a body, their case is stronger than ever.
Avitia has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is being held on $2 million bail.
Prosecutors say the murder charges against Avitia carry a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murder, but they have not decided whether to seek the death penalty, said Susan Mickey, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.
Investigators say Avitia gave conflicting statements as to how Escamilla was killed. They're trying to determine a motive, though Avitia indicated he was unhappy that his girlfriend was carrying his child.
Priscilla Escamilla says Avitia's family didn't approve of the relationship because her daughter had a 3-year-old boy.
"They just didn't want them together and they still secretly saw each other," she told KTLA.
"I loved her so much. I just want her back," she added.
Family members say Escamilla and Avitia had been dating for about a year.
Searchers began looking for the remains of 17-year-old Anyssia Katherine Escamilla in May after her boyfriend admitted to killing her and dumping her body in the trash.
The remains were found Wednesday afternoon by a search dog, according to investigators who spent 78 days searching landfills in Rialto and Corona.
"We were looking for the remains of a 5 foot 4 inch, 120 pound girl in 30,000 tons of rubbish," said Sgt. Billy Green of the Fontana Police department during a news conference.
Police received confirmation Thursday morning from the coroner's office that the remains were those of Escamilla
Prosecutors say 18-year-old Jesus Avitia Jr. told police he killed Escamilla and dumped her body in a trash can near his home.
She was reported missing on May 11 when she failed to return home from school. Escamilla was three months pregnant with Avitia's baby. She also has a 3-year-old son from another relationship.
The Escamilla family, through their tears, thanked the searchers for making sure their baby wasn't left to be buried in a dump.
"Thank the Lord for bringing Anyssia home," Priscilla Escamilla, Anyssia's mother said. Priscilla Escamilla went to the landfill where they found her daughter's body yesterday afternoon when she heard searchers were about to give up looking for Anyssia. She called out to her daughter and within an hour, she received word that searchers had finally found what they were looking for.
"We miss you so much. Although you are not here in body, your presence remains in our hearts," Jorge Escamilla said as he tried to hold back tears.
Investigators believe Avitia killed Escamilla because she was pregnant and wanted to have the baby against his wishes. They say with his confession and now a body, their case is stronger than ever.
Avitia has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is being held on $2 million bail.
Prosecutors say the murder charges against Avitia carry a special-circumstance allegation of multiple murder, but they have not decided whether to seek the death penalty, said Susan Mickey, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.
Investigators say Avitia gave conflicting statements as to how Escamilla was killed. They're trying to determine a motive, though Avitia indicated he was unhappy that his girlfriend was carrying his child.
Priscilla Escamilla says Avitia's family didn't approve of the relationship because her daughter had a 3-year-old boy.
"They just didn't want them together and they still secretly saw each other," she told KTLA.
"I loved her so much. I just want her back," she added.
Family members say Escamilla and Avitia had been dating for about a year.
