Missing Teen Found Murdered

Norma Lopez was grabbed as she left a summer class

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2010 1:20 AM CDT

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Missing Teen Found Murdered — Riverside County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Joseph Borja confirms the identity of Norma Lopez, whose remains were found in a wheat field near Moreno Valley, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Remains found in a wheat field near a southern California town have been identified as those of a missing teenage girl police believe was abducted after a summer school program. Norma Lopez, 17, vanished a week ago after a biology class at Valley View High in Moreno Valley. Police have no suspects, but a green SUV was seen speeding from the spot where Lopez tried in vain to fight off her attacker, reports the Los Angeles Times. Investigators found some of Norma's belongings and signs of a struggle just blocks from the school.

“We haven’t caught the suspect who killed Norma so obviously there is a murderer out there, so I would be vigilant, I would be aware," said Riverside County Sheriff Sgt. Joseph Barja. "If I were a parent I would keep track of my children. I would do everything to ensure their safety.”
(More California stories.)

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