TAKOMA PARK, Md. — The remains of a teenage girl, who was last seen in September, were found in a wooded area of Takoma Park, sparking a homicide investigation, according to the Prince George's County Police Department.
The skeletal remains were discovered around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday in a wooded area near Drexel Street, off of Riggs Road.
Detectives were informed and a death investigation was opened. An autopsy ruled the manner of death for the victim, that was identified over the weekend as 17-year-old Rosa Diaz-Santos of Greenbelt, as a homicide.
According to the Greenbelt Police Department, Diaz-Santos was last seen around 7:40 a.m. on Sept. 22 as she was leaving Franklin Park to attend Eleanor Roosevelt High School. Her remains were found around a 20-minute drive away from where the school is located.
Eleanor Roosevelt High School released a statement about Diaz-Santos's death that read in part:
Dear Families,
It is with sadness that I inform you of the death of Rosa Santos-Diaz, a ninth-grade student at Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
For those of you who knew Rosa, we ask that you remember and celebrate her life. For those of you who did not know Rosa, we ask that you respect our sadness and support us with your understanding.
It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person. A support team of school psychologists, professional school counselors, and our pupil personnel worker, from Prince George’s County Public Schools will join our staff to provide counseling and support to students. Counseling will continue to be available to students as long as necessary.
The police department’s Homicide Unit is working to identify and arrest the suspect(s) responsible for her death. They are also searching for a motive in the case.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to call detectives at 301-516-2512.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
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