Fear spreads in Moreno Valley as body is identified as missing girl

With word that a killer was among them, fear spread quickly among Moreno Valley’s parents and teenagers Wednesday after authorities confirmed that a body found near a patch of farmland was that of a missing 17-year-old high school student.

Norma Lopez vanished seven days ago as she walked to a friend’s house after summer school, triggering a massive search that has now turned into a hunt for a killer throughout Riverside County. Police believe Lopez was abducted as she cut though a field near Valley View High School.

“We haven’t caught the suspect who killed Norma, so obviously there is at least [one] murderer out there. So I would be vigilant, I would be aware. If I was a parent, I would keep track of my children,” said Riverside County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja.

Sonia DeLeon, a prenatal health counselor, wasn’t taking any chances. She’s sending her 17-year-old daughter to live with relatives in San Diego County for a few weeks.

“It’s scary. The person is still out there,” DeLeon said. “I work, my husband works, we can’t keep an eye on her every minute.”

News of Lopez’s death, mostly through text messages and cellphones, traveled quickly through her school long before the Sheriff’s Department made the official announcement, Principal Kristen Hunter said.

“We’ve had so many kids come in that I had to call the district to bring in the crisis response team,” Hunter said. “It was heartbreaking to see how much pain they were in. Some of them went to school with Norma since elementary school. They were hitting their fists on the table, saying ‘Why? Why? Why?’ ”

Lopez was reported missing a week ago by her older sister, Sonja, after she failed to return home from a summer biology class. She was out of school by 10 a.m. and planned to meet her older sister and a friend, authorities said.

Investigators said they found some of Norma’s belongings, as well as signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students.

Lopez’s body was found in a grassy field Tuesday afternoon by a resident doing yardwork on the eastern edge of town, an area just off Interstate 60 that issurrounded by vast wheat fields.

Authorities declined to provide any details about the cause of death, any evidence found with the body or when they believe that Lopez was killed.

Borja said investigators have no suspects in the case, although a newer model green SUV was seen speeding away from the area where Lopez disappeared.

Until they received word of her death early Wednesday morning, Lopez’s parents clung to the hope that their daughter was alive, appearing before television news cameras almost daily begging for her safe return.

“There are no words to describe how I felt at the moment. I have rage, anger with those who did this to her,” said Melanie Villarreal, 18, a friend of Norma and her sisters. “Moreno Valley is such a small community … now you can’t even walk out of your house with your back turned.”

Friends streamed into the Lopez family’s house throughout the day, bringing flowers and condolences. Television news vans flanked the house, a well-kept, beige, two-story suburban home with pink rosebushes and a pepper tree in front. Sheriff’s officials said the family members were too distraught to comment.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department announced a $35,000 reward for any information leading to the the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her abduction. An account also has been set up at Wells Fargo for anyone wishing to contribute to the reward.

On Wednesday evening, hundreds of students, parents and community members started streaming into Valley View High School with flowers, cards and other mementos to express their grief.

“It’s scary for all of us who have kids in this town,” said Erika Rogers, whose 16-year-old daughter will be a senior next year. “Right now, we’re not letting her walk anywhere. Not after school, nowhere.”

By 6:30 p.m., the crowd filled one of the grandstands at the school’s football field. It was a scene of grief and tears, of emotions rubbed raw by the disappearance and death of an innocent teenager, one of them.

Students and community members were invited to come down to an open microphone on the field to share a story about Norma or a prayer or a song.

Two of Lopez’s sisters, Elizabeth and Sonja, sat silently on folding chairs in front of the crowd, comforted by hugs and the kind words from friends and strangers.

The principal opened up with a tearful, stark comment about how Lopez’s death had been a tragedy for her family, her school and her community.

“I just want to say I miss you, Norma. Nobody deserves this,” said Caroline Benjamin, 15, a friend. “She could have changed the world one day.”

Authorities urge anyone with information about the case to call (877) 242-4345, or send an e-mail to findnormaskiller@riversidesheriff.org.

phil.willon@latimes.com