Body Found in San Diego Believed to Be Chelsea King's

(March 3) -- Police in Southern California found a body in a shallow grave near a lake shoreline in the Rancho Bernardo Community Park in San Diego. It is presumed to be that of missing teen Chelsea King.

"A positive ID has not been made, but there is a strong likelihood that we have found Chelsea," San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. "This was our worst fear, that we would find her as we did."

Chelsea King's father, Brent King, got news of the discovery Tuesday night while helping organize a vigil at St. Michael's Church in Poway. The event was supposed to be an opportunity for Chelsea's friends and family members to gather and share their hopes for her safe return, but the mood quickly turned somber as news of the discovery spread.

Fighting back tears, King stood on the church lawn and thanked all the supporters who helped in the search for his daughter.

"One of the nicknames that I've always called my daughter is my 'Angel.' She's my angel forever," he said. "I want to thank you. Chelsea wants to thank you ... we love all of you."

Chelsea, a 17-year-old honors student from Poway, was reported missing on Feb. 25 when she failed to return home after jogging. Her vehicle was later found in an area near Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Search crews spent five days scouring the area for clues to the teen's unexplained disappearance before a team located a shallow grave Tuesday near Lake Hodges, about 10 feet from the shoreline. It was the same general area where searchers had previously found a shoe, believed to belong to King.

The discovery came just two days after police arrested John Albert Gardner III, a 30-year-old registered sex offender, booking him on suspicion of rape and murder. Gore said then that investigators had discovered evidence linking Gardner to King "in such a manner as to warrant his arrest." He would not elaborate. Law enforcement sources later reportedly told latimes.com that DNA on King's underwear, found near the lake, led to Gardner's arrest.

According to the Megan's Law Web site, Gardner is a resident of Lake Elsinore. His registered offense is listed as "lewd or lascivious acts with [a] child under 14 years [of age]."

In that May 2000 case, Gardner pleaded guilty to molesting a 13-year-old girl. Gardner had allegedly lured the teen to his house under the premise of watching a movie. The girl was beaten before escaping and calling for help.

In Gardner's sentencing memo, prosecutors wrote that he "never expressed one scintilla of remorse" for the attack. He was sentenced to six years in prison, released after five. Gardner remained on parole until September 2008, court records show.

In addition to King's murder, police say they have evidence linking Gardner to the Dec. 27 assault on a 22-year-old female jogger in the same area where King went missing. The victim allegedly identified Gardner when she saw his mug shot; however, DNA found on her elbow does not match Gardner's. It remains unclear whether he will be charged in that case.

Authorities are also looking for possible connections between Gardner and the disappearance of Amber Dubois, a 15-year-old girl who went missing from Escondido in February 2009.

No formal charges have been filed against Gardner, who is being questioned at the Sheriff's Administrative Center in San Diego. According to San Diego County's district attorney spokesman Steve Walker, Gardner will be arraigned later today.

Authorities are also expected to announce a positive identification of King's body sometime today.

Findchelsea.com, a Web site set up after King's disappearance, has not been updated since the discovery; however, a Facebook page dedicated to the search was updated last night with the following message:

"At this point, all searches for Chelsea at the center will be concluded. We cannot begin to express the incredible, indescribable support we have received from the community and the world at large in our efforts. Our love and support will be directed to the King family as well as our own families in grieving for the loss of Chelsea."

Related Link:
Sex Offender Arrested in Case of Missing Teen