A 13-year-old California girl, reported missing on Sunday, was found deceased on Monday in a Mission Viejo park.
KTLA 5 reports that a hiker found the body of Emma Pangelinan at Pinecrest Park, hidden under brush. According to Carrie Braun of the Orange County, the teen left her home the previous day in Mission Viejo and was listed as running away and in “at risk.” At this time, authorities do not think foul play was involved.
“The concern we had was that she’s 13 years old, last night was very cold, and we take any reports of missing children very seriously,” sheriff’s Lt. Quyen Vuong said.
The Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office is scheduled to conduct an autopsy on Emma.
On Monday night, friends gathers to show remembrance to Emma, a softball player on the “Batbusters Shockey,” team, who one person described as “amazing.”
My heart breaks for the Pangelinan family😔 if everyone, especially the softball and Batbuster community, can please say a prayer for the friends and family of Emma during this time of grief. Rest In Peace Emma🙏🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/6Ho4xfOILI
— jocey j (@jocelynbaldon_) January 23, 2018
“I’m just going to miss her smile and just how much of an amazing person she was,” Gianna Lopez told KTLA. ‘I just remember always hanging out with her in class, alwayd cracking jokes with her at lunch, just having good times with each other.”
The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Emma Pangelinan/Handout]
