Remains of pregnant teen are found in Corona landfill

Anyssia Katherine Escamilla, 17, of Bloomington had been missing since May 11. Her boyfriend reportedly told police he choked her and dumped her body in a trash can.

By Alexandra Zavis, Times Staff Writer
August 5, 2010|9:50 p.m.

After months of searching, Fontana police investigators found the remains of a missing pregnant teenager at a landfill in Corona, authorities said Thursday.

Anyssia Katherine Escamilla, 17, of Bloomington was identified through dental records, said Sandy Fatland, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County coroner's office.

Escamilla had been missing since May 11, when she did not return home from Bloomington High School, said Sgt. Billy Green, a Fontana Police Department spokesman.

Her boyfriend, Jesus Avitia Jr., 18, initially told investigators that Escamilla had killed herself at his Fontana home but he later admitted that he choked her and dumped her body in a trash can, Green said.

Avitia has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder and is being held on $2-million bail. Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Search crews assisted by cadaver-sniffing dogs spent more than 70 days combing through two landfills in Rialto and Corona before finding the girl's remains Wednesday afternoon at the El Sobrante Landfill in Corona, Green said.

"The body was too decayed for us to make a positive identification by features alone," he said.

An autopsy was scheduled Thursday afternoon to determine the cause of death. Police also are investigating the motive.

The Associated Press reported that Avitia told investigators that he killed Escamilla after learning that she was pregnant and refused to have an abortion. He said he wanted to pursue a nursing career and was afraid a baby would derail his plans, Fontana Police Det. Shawn Hare told the Associated Press.

Escamilla had a 3-year-old son from a previous relationship.

From: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-missing-teen-20100805,0,3489470.story