Teen Found Dead Behind Business In La Mesa Identified

LA MESA, CA — Authorities on Monday publicly identified the teenager whose body was found eight months ago in La Mesa.

Cassidy Hopwood, 17, of El Cajon had been reported missing. She was found dead on March 13 behind a business in the 7900 block of El Cajon Boulevard, according to the La Mesa Police Department.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office on Friday notified police that it had identified the body.

Officials have not disclosed the girl's cause of death. In an earlier news release, police said foul play was not suspected and the case was being handled as a fentanyl-related death.

"It was our honor to spend some time with Cassidy's family and to learn additional information that may assist us in determining the circumstances leading up to her death," Lynch said. "The La Mesa Police Department remains dedicated to seeking answers for Cassidy, her family, and her friends."

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers' anonymous tip line at 888-580-TIPS.