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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrea Blanco,Graeme Massie and Stuti Mishra

Andrea Vazquez – latest: Gabriel Esparza arrested for murder after kidnapping teen on date with boyfriend

Whittier Police Department

Family reacts to death of Andrea Vazquez

A missing California teen has been found dead following a violent kidnapping, officials in the Whittier Police Department said.

The remains of 19-year-old Andrea Vazquez were found in a vegetation field in Moreno Valley.

Vazquez was randomly kidnapped over the weekend while she was in a car with her boyfriend in a Los Angeles park.

While Vazquez and her boyfriend were sitting in the parked car at Penn Park, an armed man approached them and began shooting. Vazquez’s boyfriend fled the scene and when he returned, he “discovered blood” near it and Vazquez was gone.

“At this time, it appears that Andrea Vazquez and male companion were randomly targeted by the suspect at Penn Park,” police said in a statement.

Detectives combed the area of Moreno Valley and made the gruesome discovery on Monday evening.

Gabriel Sean Esparza, 20, has been arrested in connection with the crime. Mr Esparza is facing charges of murder and kidnapping and is currently being held without bail.

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