The remains of a teenager who disappeared in late August were discovered this past weekend, as confirmed by reports and online tributes from loved ones. Jakarah Lopez-Moore, a resident of Rochester, New York, was reported missing on August 29, two days after she was last seen.
Almost two months after her disappearance, the 16-year-old’s body was found in a wooded area in Rochester. Investigators believe her body had been decomposing for over a month. Rochester Police Department’s Capt. Frank Umbrino stated that officers were called to a location behind a local recycling facility on Saturday after witnesses fishing in the area discovered the body.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the remains as those of Lopez-Moore. Her death has been classified as a homicide, although the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
According to Capt. Umbrino, Lopez-Moore voluntarily left her home in the early hours of August 27. However, her sudden absence from social media, where she was typically active, quickly raised concerns. Umbrino noted that while Jakarah was dealing with typical teenage issues, it was unusual for her to be out of contact with her family for two days or to be absent from social media for such a period.
Lopez-Moore’s social media activity ceased a day before she was last seen, according to one of her Facebook accounts. On Tuesday, her mother posted a heartfelt tribute to her daughter on social media. She expressed her deep sorrow and longing for more time with her daughter, promising to never let her go when they meet again.
The investigation into Lopez-Moore’s death is ongoing.