An autopsy has confirmed that the body found in Prosser Lake is missing 16-year-old Kiely Rodni.
The Nevada County and Placer County sheriff’s office announced the confirmation on Tuesday and said they were in communication with the Rodni family and offering their condolences.
Authorities said the investigation is still ongoing and there is still no other information about the teen’s death.
Kiely Rodni had been missing since August 6. She was last seen at a high school farewell party with other young people at a nearby campsite. Her body was found in her submerged car in Prosser Creek Reservoir on Monday.
A volunteer dive team helped with the search and found the missing teen and her car under 14 feet of water.
Rodni’s disappearance had launched a massive search by local, state, and federal law enforcement. Volunteers had also helped in the search. Authorities told reporters they were treating the case as an abduction.
There were more than 1,800 tips in the case, including cell phone videos from partygoers. However, there was no evidence of Rodni leaving the party.
The family of Kiely Rodni issued the following statement after Monday’s press conference:
We are eternally grateful for the love and support you have shown us in the last couple of weeks. We have weathered a storm of unfathomable force, and it is purely thanks to the army of warriors, matriarchs, healers, and helpers holding us up that we continue to stand today. 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. We are forever indebted to you.
While we accept this sadness cast under death’s shadow, the rising sun shines light upon us, reminding us not to mourn our loss, but to celebrate Kiely’s spirit and the gift that we all received in knowing her. Kiely will surely remain with us even though we will not get her back.
There are certain occasions when words fail. Perhaps this is why our human nature has given us art, dance, and music, which all are often more effective ways to connect us to each other and our rawest emotions. Kindly excuse us as we retreat and dance privately to life’s song while we celebrate our daughter’s spirit and heal our souls.
In gratitude,
The Rodni-Nieman Family
