Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Missing Moreno Valley girl found dead
Norma Lopez, 17, of Moreno Valley is believed to have been abducted July 15, 2010, authorities said.
(
Riverside County Sheriff's Dept.
)
Authorities have confirmed that human remains found in a Moreno Valley field were those of a 17-year old girl who went missing last week.
Last Thursday, witnesses said they saw Norma Lopez walking home alone from summer school. Relatives said she often took a short cut through a vacant field to get home. Authorities reported that a neighbor discovered Lopez’s body and some of her personal belongings near that field.
Investigators believe that someone abducted her; there were signs of an apparent struggle.
“It has now changed from an abducted person to a homicide,” said Riverside County Sheriff’s department sergeant Joe Borja.
Support for LAist comes from
“Nothing has changed. We wave not stopped investigating every lead since July 15 at 10 a.m. when we were first notified of the abduction.”
The city of Moreno Valley and the FBI are offering a $35,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of Norma Lopez’s killer. Investigators are looking for the driver of green SUV seen leaving the area shortly before the teen's neighbor found her body.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist