Slain Moreno Valley Teen's Family Speaks Out

Moreno Valley - Authorities today tried to determine who kidnapped and killed Norma Angelica Lopez, while her grieving family planned services for the slain 17-year-old in Moreno Valley.

A memorial service is planned from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 25075 Cottonwood Ave.

A funeral mass is planned at 1 p.m. Thursday at the same church. Norma's family said people are welcome to pay their respects, the Press-Enterprise reported.

Norma had attended summer school the morning of July 15 at Valley View High School, and she planned to meet a friend and her younger sister at a residence on Cottonwood Avenue at about 10 a.m., according to the Sheriff's Department.

She took a shortcut from school but she never arrived on Cottonwood.

Her body was found Tuesday about 2 1/2 miles away, next to rural Theodore Street.

Family members said it was common for Norma and other summer school students to walk south on Nason Street until they reach Dracaea Avenue, then take the shortcut which leads south through a dirt field to reach Cottonwood.

Fewer students have used the shortcut since Norma's disappearance, and many parents are on edge with a killer presumed on the loose and possibly still in their community.

The Lopez family held a news briefing Thursday outside their home on Dunbar Court. Elizabeth Lopez was joined by her father, Martin, 16-year-old sister Sonia and 13-year-old brother Jose. They pleaded for the killer to surrender and for other youngsters not to let their guard down.

Investigators have not disclosed how Norma died, or whether she was sexually assaulted.

"If you know something, tell police," Elizabeth Lopez said. "That way, we could find this person. That way, this won't happen again to another girl out there. We want to get the killer . . . so no other family will have to go through something like this."

Deputies set up a traffic checkpoint Thursday at Nason Street and Cottonwood Avenue, not far from where Norma was abducted. Motorists traveling through the area were asked whether they recalled seeing anything suspicious on the day of the kidnapping.

A green sport utility vehicle was seen speeding away from the area around the time of Norma's disappearance. Borja said investigators would still like to know who was in the vehicle -- if nothing else than to rule out the occupants as suspects.

A $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for killing Norma.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call (877) 242-4345.