San Diego Sheriff William Gore informed the parents of 17-year old Chelsea King that a body had been found in a wooded park in San Diego County. Although an official identification needed to be made, for legal reasons, it was certain the body was that of the high school senior.

The body was found in a shallow grave. It had been covered with leaves and other debris. A searcher, looking for the straight-A student noticed something looking suspicous. This led him to the remains of the young girl. The devastated parents did not make further comments although they had earlier thanked everyone for the love and support they had been offered. They particularly thanked the officers and the searchers, some 1400 strong, who spent the weekend searching for King. Searchers had high hopes of locating the girl, but, as Gore stated, “This was our worst fear, that we would find her as we did today.”

A previously convicted sex offender, who served time for his offense, was arrested last Sunday. John Gardner 111 served five years in prison for molesting a 13-year-old girl. He is now charged for the murder of King, a student at Poway High School. The girl played the French horn for the San Diego Youth Symphony. She also competed on her schools cross-country team and volunteered in a peer counseling program.