Missing RivCo Teen Feared Dead, 2 Arrested: Police

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Nearly one month after a 16-year-old Riverside County girl went missing, police say the teen is feared dead and that they've nabbed two men in connection to her death. Aranda Briones was last seen alive by friends and family on Jan. 13 in Moreno Valley.

"The case was initially referred to Moreno Valley Investigators who began an exhaustive search for Aranda," sheriff's Sgt. Steve Favero said in a news release Tuesday. "In the days that followed, the Moreno Valley Police Department obtained the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau and the FBI."

"Based on circumstances learned during the investigation, the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit assumed the case," he said.

Gary Anthony Shover, 21, and Owen Skyler Shover, 18, both of Hesperia, were arrested Monday night on suspicion of murder in connection with Briones' disappearance.

"We can confirm that the individuals were booked for murder, but further details will not be released at this time," Riverside County sheriff's spokesman Mike Vasquez told City News Service.

The suspects are brothers, according to the Press Enterprise.

Sheriff's officials said they are still searching for the missing girl and though the case is being investigated by homicide detectives, Sheriff Chad Bianco said he's holding out hope that the girl may be alive just yet.

"[M]y ultimate hope is that we will find her alive and well," he told the Press Enterprise.

According to the sheriff, authorities are looking in both Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

"This is an active investigation and we are still seeking the public’s assistance in helping us find Aranda," Sgt. Favero said.

According to jail records, the men were taken into custody about 11:30 p.m. Monday at a residence on Grevillea Street, near Old Ranch Road, in Hesperia. Sheriff's detectives made the arrests after serving a warrant at the location with the help of a SWAT team.

Briones was last seen Jan. 13 in Moreno Valley Community Park at the intersection of Cottonwood Avenue and Frederick Street, where she had been visiting friends.

Her family and friends have been searching for her since, distributing flyers throughout the city bearing her photograph and other information.

According to published reports, one of the suspects may have been in a prior relationship with the girl.

— City News Service contributed to this report / Images via Riverside County Sheriff's Department