The mother of a missing California teen last seen more than a month ago said on Instagram that remains found near her car in a the Santa Cruz mountains earlier this month were her daughter and that she died in a car accident.
Although officials have not confirmed that Katie Schneider was found dead, Nola Schneider said that deputies “informed us that Katie’s remains were found in the vicinity of her vehicle in a ravine near Castle Rock State Park.”
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The circumstances, she said, are still under investigation.
Schneider, 17, was last seen driving away from her home in Saratoga on July 5, as CrimeOnline previously reported. Investigators found her Honda Accord on August 7. The car was unoccupied and about 15 miles from her home.
According to Newsweek, human remains were located on Saturday and sent to the medical examiner for identification.
“As we mourn the loss of our fearless and cherished Katie, we kindly ask for privacy to grieve and come to terms with this profound loss,” Nola Schneider wrote on Sunday. “We request that the media refrain from contacting friends and family at this difficult time. Please join us in focusing on the love and joy Katie brought to us and others.”
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[Featured image: Katharine “Katie” Schneider/Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office]
