Body of missing California girl Sandra Cantu found in suitcase

TRACY, Calif. - Authorities roped off a mobile home park where an 8-year-old girl was last seen, searching for clues to her death after her body was found a few miles away in a suitcase dumped in an irrigation pond.
Police would not comment on the investigation into the death of Sandra Cantu, who was found Monday after a 10-day search, but they had previously searched several homes and towed several cars from the northern California mobile home park where she lived.Investigators had refused to say what prompted the searches at the park or what they had found. No suspects had been identified."Our heartfelt sympathies go to Sandra's family and friends," said Tracy Police Chief Janet Thiessen. "We will determine the person or persons responsible for this reprehensible act, and we will bring them to justice."


Authorities planned an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Thiessen said Sandra was found wearing the same clothes she had on when she was last seen on March 27: a pink "Hello Kitty" T-shirt and black leggings.
Sandra's disappearance sparked a widespread search that included hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officials, including the FBI, and drew more than 1,000 tips.Pictures of the girl with dark brown eyes and light brown hair were posted all over town, on business fronts, car windows and fire hydrants in this city of 78,000 about 60 miles east of San Francisco.Investigators said they spoke last week to the girl's father, Daniel Cantu, who lives in Mexico and works in southern California. Authorities would not give any details of the discussion, but the father told the Tracy Press newspaper he had not seen his daughter for a year.

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Police said the suitcase was found by farmworkers who were draining the irrigation pond to water fields.Investigators cordoned off the area for hours while they searched the area for clues. The suitcase was eventually opened at the coroner's office, where Sandra's body was positively identified.More than 100 mourners — some holding candles, others wiping away tears — gathered outside the mobile home park Monday night while police blocked the entrance.
"I am still in shock," said Brandy Robles, 27, who held her 2-year-old son. "You see this in the movies. I never thought it would be real life — real to me."