Body Identified As Missing Indio Teenager

Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators told News Channel 3 the body discovered in a Coachella corn field on Wednesday has been identified as a missing 19-year-old from Indio.

Karina Sepulveda was last seen Thursday, April 28.

Her family told News Channel 3 she left her work on Highway 111 in Indio that day with someone. He then took her home, parked across the street from where she lives, and talked for awhile.

He then told family she got out of car and got into a white SUV around 9 p.m. No one had seen her since then.

Indio police say that the family came in on Monday to report Sepulveda missing.

“I have peace and I believe my daughter is in God’s hands, no matter what happens with her in the way she died,” said Carmen Sepulveda, Karina’s mother.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Prime Time DAFCO Ranch, located at Fillmore and 50th Avenue, around 2 p.m, on Wednesday, according to Cpt. Ray Gregory. Ranch workers had discovered the body outside and had called authorities.

Gregory said the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death have been deemed suspicious and Coachella police homicide detectives have been sent to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Karina’s mother believes someone killed her daughter, but says she’s ready to forgive.

“I have nothing angry to the people who killed my daughter. Because I’m christian. Only I say to God forgive the persons because they don’t have Jesus in the heart,” said Sepulveda.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for more on this developing story.