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TRUCKEE, Calif. — The body found in a California reservoir by a team of volunteer deep divers has been confirmed to belong to missing teen Kiely Rodni, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

Police said Monday that the human remains discovered in Prosser Creek Reservoir were “more than likely” those of Kiely, the 16-year-old who went missing after an Aug. 5 party. But officials waited for a medical examiner to verify that.

Kiely’s autopsy was conducted Tuesday, allowing the Nevada County Sheriff-Coroner to confirm the grim prediction.

Authorities wrote on Facebook Tuesday that they are “in communication with Kiely’s family and offer our deepest condolences to them during this extremely difficult time.”


  Rodni went missing after attending a party in Truckee, California, earlier this month. Placer County Sheriff Rodni went missing after attending a party in Truckee, California, earlier this month. Placer County Sheriff

  Police confirmed the body found in a submerged car in the Prosser Creek Reservoir was missing teen Kiely Rodni. Daniel McKnight Police confirmed the body found in a submerged car in the Prosser Creek Reservoir was missing teen Kiely Rodni. Daniel McKnight

The teen’s remains were found inside her car at the bottom of the lake on Sunday by Adventures With Purpose, a volunteer diving group that makes YouTube videos about their efforts to find missing persons.

They discovered her body after just 35 minutes of searching the lake, even though authorities had already sent at least three dive teams to look there.

Police have not ruled out any scenarios for how Kiely ended up in the reservoir.

Kiely’s car and remains were found about 20 to 40 feet from the water’s edge near a section of Prosser Family Campground where the party she attended was held.

Friends of Kiely said she was drinking at the party, but insisted the teen wouldn’t drink and drive.

Before Sunday’s discovery, authorities conducted an exhaustive, two-week-long search of the area via land, air and water.

Kiely’s family said Monday they are “eternally grateful for the love and support” they’ve received in the last two weeks.

“Mr. Rogers famously told a story of ‘looking for the helpers’ whenever he saw scary things in the news. We have not had to look for the helpers, as you have all come to our rescue in full force,” the Rodni-Nieman family said in a statement.

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