Tucson Police, saying it wasn't "by happenstance," that detectives found the remains of Isabel Celis in rural Pima County -- rather, a part of an ongoing process of many searches. Her remains discovery, raising the questions -- who's responsible? How did she die?
Her death, striking a sensitive nerve with people here in Tucson. From the moment she disappeared back in 2012, much of the community was engaged in the search, trying to do what they could to help find young Isabel.
Balloons, flowers, and notes -- all sit outside the house where Isabel Celis vanished from. While hopes that she'd turn up alive have disappeared, the support from the community has not.
Saturday night, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus addressing a crowd at the group Homicide Survivors annual candlelight vigil, offering his best wishes and a moment of silence.
"We grieve -- as a larger community -- over the discovery of Isabel Celis," he said. "If we could just take a moment of silence, to reflect on our loss as a community."
This story resonated with more than just the Tucson community when it happened -- it became a story known across households in America.
"This case has been very traumatic not only for the family, and friends of the family, but also for the entire larger community," Magnus said. "In fact, reverberations of this have gone well beyond Tucson and Arizona, it has affected people throughout the country."
People all over the country taking to social media to express their feelings about these new developments.
Heartbroken to hear the news of discovering the remains of Isabel Celis ??
— raleigh (@raleighkmet) April 1, 2017
Isabel Mercedes Celis, who disappeared five years ago next month, has been found deceased in the remote Arizona desert. Rest now sweet one. pic.twitter.com/0lvrbLILKB
— Peggy D'Onofrio (@PeggyDonofrio) April 2, 2017
RIP baby girl. Investigators locate remains of Isabel Celis, 6-year-old girl who went missing in 2012 @AU4Humanity https://t.co/Y9FLB31fbA
— Lee Roberts ?? (@robertstwin1) April 1, 2017
Nearly 24 hr after police say remains of Isabel Celis are found, more flowers & balloons at home. Nearly 5 yrs since she went missing @Kgun9 pic.twitter.com/d2B1tyfRuI
— Max Darrow (@MaxDarrowKGUN) April 1, 2017
Despite the case's longevity, now five years in the making, Magnus said the investigators are still very engaged and dedicated. With these new developments, the police department is asking anyone with information to call 88-CRIME, or to contact the police department.
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