Human Remains Found In Open Desert ID'd As Missing NJ Woman

YUCCA VALLEY, CA — Human remains found earlier this month in rugged, open-desert Yucca Valley terrain were positively identified Thursday as those of missing New Jersey resident Lauren Cho, 30.

The cause and manner of her death are still pending toxicology results, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

Cho had been missing since June 28, when she reportedly walked away from a residence she was staying at in the 8600 block of Benmar Trail in Yucca Valley. Her late-afternoon disappearance led to an extensive search by law enforcement from the ground and air.

Then at 6 a.m. July 31, sheriff's detectives assigned to the Morongo Basin Station, along with search and rescue personnel, served a search warrant at the Benmar Trail location. During the search, K-9s were used. The sheriff's department did not say why a search warrant was needed or what was discovered.

The search for Cho continued, and finally on Oct. 9 her remains were found in the open desert by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue personnel.

No further information was being released on the case "until such time toxicology results are available and new information is discovered as a result," the sheriff's department said.