Cause Of Indio Teen’s Death Remains Unclear

Just what led to 19 year old Karina Sepulveda’s death remains unclear weeks after workers found her body in a corn field in Coachella.

How she died — and how she got there — still haven’t been answered.

Indio city councilman Sam Torres has been in contact with Sepulveda’s family and trying to help them get answers.

“Just the loss and the grief and no answers. If it was a car crash you would mourn and say this is how it happened. For them, there’s no closure yet,” said Torres.

Karina’s family said she was last seen shortly after being picked up from work at an insurance office in Indio back on April 28th.

Four days later, they reported her missing. Two days after that, her body turned up.

The case is being handled as a suspicious death. The city of Indio would like to move forward with a reward, but that’s on hold — unless Karina’s death is listed as a homicide.

“That’s been a source of a lot of anxiety for the family also. The amount of time it’s taken to find out exactly what the coroner’s report has to say,” said Torres. “Once we get a determination, we’ll be able to offer a reward. Until the determination there has been a homicide, you’re offering a reward.. for what?”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says its Central Homicide Unit has the investigation, but is waiting for lab results from the coroner’s office.