Tucson police have identified a body found in Vail on Thursday afternoon as that of 13-year-old Jayden Glomb, who went missing from her home the night before.
Police said Friday that an autopsy was conducted but the cause of death was pending.
Jayden was a seventh-grader at Old Vail Middle School.
According to multiple posts on Facebook, she was last seen in Vail at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday.
On Thursday, photos of her were widely circulated on Facebook forums for residents of Vail and Rita Ranch, and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base branch of the 943rd Rescue Group, where Jayden’s mother is employed, posted a “be on the lookout” for the girl.
Homicide detectives began investigating the suspicious death after a body was found in a desert area near a new housing development near East Mary Ann Cleveland Way and Steve Street, said Sgt. Pete Dugan, a Tucson Police Department spokesman.
Based on the condition of the body, it appeared she died recently, Dugan said.
A worker at the housing development, which is about 2 miles east of Houghton Road, was driving out of the area when he saw what he believed to be a body in the desert area. He called 911 .
“Homicide detectives are trying to figure out what took place,” said Dugan.
Posted on the Vail School District Facebook page was a statement through a representative of Jayden's family. "We appreciate the love and compassion of everyone who has surrounded Joshua and Jessica Lelevier, Robert Glomb, and their families following the loss of their daughter."
"Vail, our Air Force and Air Force Reserve communities, 943rd Rescue Group, and so many others have poured out prayers and sent love and light to everyone involved. Thank you."
A YouCaring site was established to help Jayden's families with financial expenses at www.youcaring.com/JaydenGlomb
Vail Superintendent Calvin Baker sent a letter to parents that said a crisis counseling team was at the school Friday helping students and staff.
The counselors provided different ways for the students to process their grief, Baker wrote, including writing, working with clay and sand, talking and hugging puppies.
The teacher in Jayden’s home-room class distributed class pictures that had Jayden in them to all of her classmates.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jayden’s family,” Baker wrote in the letter.
