By Miriam Raftery
April 24, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A body found in Otay Valley Regional Park in Chula Vista has been identified as Kimberly Arteaga, Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson with the San Diego Sheriff’s homicide detail announced today.
The 16-year-old Lemon Grove resident was reported missing on January 7, 2014, according to the Sheriff’s department press release. However, a poster from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said she missing since November 13, 2013.
The County Medical Examiner’s office has determined her death was a homicide.
Her remains were found on January 13, 2017 by a person walking a dog. Chula Vista Police turned the remains over to the County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy and DNA samples. The San Diego Sheriff’s crime lab positively identified the victim.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are investigating the case and believe that Arteaga’s death occurred close to the time of her disappearance. The autopsy has been sealed, including details on the cause of death.
Her brother, Jim Monarrez, posted on Instagram that he learned from family members on March 11th that “detectives found my little sister’s remains, so I went to show love to my sister and opened up a trail to where they found her.”
Fox 5 reports that Lt. Nelson indicated the girl’s boyfriend has been interviewed and is considered a person of interest, but no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.