Remains Found Near Salton Sea Identified as Missing 17-Year-Old Riverside County Girl

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The FBI has identified human remains found near the Salton Sea as those of 17-year-old T'neya "TT" Tovar, who was reported missing from Thermal, California in December 2025. After weeks of searching, Imperial County Sheriff's deputies discovered a decomposed human leg in the Vista Delmar area on December 21.

Why it matters

The discovery of T'neya Tovar's remains brings a tragic end to the search for the missing Riverside County teenager, raising concerns about her fate and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Law enforcement continues to investigate the case to determine what happened and bring closure to her family.

The details

According to the FBI, T'neya Tovar was last seen in Thermal, California, an unincorporated community in Riverside County's Coachella Valley, on December 1, 2025. After weeks of searching, Imperial County Sheriff's deputies were called to the Vista Delmar area on December 21 for reports of human remains. Upon arrival, they found a decomposed human leg, which has now been identified as belonging to T'neya Tovar.

• T'neya Tovar was reported missing on December 1, 2025.
• Human remains were discovered on December 21, 2025 in the Vista Delmar area near the Salton Sea.

What’s next

The FBI and local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding T'neya Tovar's disappearance and death.