Body of Missing Girl Believed Found in Lake

A body found in a Mendocino County reservoir Thursday was tentatively identified as a teenage girl missing since last month, search volunteers said.

Fourteen-year-old Raina Bo Shirley disappeared March 13 after she and a friend reportedly accepted a ride from Arnoldo Jorge Manzo and his teen-age nephew.

The nephew later was arrested but authorities have not been able to find Manzo, 28, who may be hiding in Mexico, officials said. Authorities said both girls were drugged and sexually assaulted.

Sheriff’s officials said a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee found a body Thursday afternoon near a fish screen at the Van Arsdale Reservoir in Potter Valley.

“Positive identification is pending. The family of Raina Shirley has been notified of the possibility of the body being that of their missing daughter,” a sheriff’s press release said.

At the Find Raina Shirley Center, volunteer Kelly Moore said, “We’re going to need lots of support. It’s sad. Everybody’s upset.”

On the night of the abduction, Raina’s 13-year-old friend was found walking in a stupor. Authorities said she and Raina had accepted a ride from Manzo and his nephew, who was Raina’s classmate.

Raina’s clothes and backpack were found downstream from a popular party area on the north bank of the Eel River, upstream from the reservoir.