FBI: Body found near Yosemite that of missing teen sightseer

The Associated Press

SONORA, Calif. -- A body found near Yosemite National Park was one of three sightseers who disappeared six weeks ago, authorities said Friday.

The body of 15-year-old Julie Sund was discovered Thursday near a reservoir on the west side of the park. She disappeared while on a sightseeing trip to Yosemite National Park with her mother, Carole Sund, 44, and a friend, Silvina Pelossa, 16. Carole Sund's body was found last week in the trunk of their torched rental car in remote Sierra Village. Officials said Friday that a second body found in the trunk is likely that of Silvina, a student from Argentina. "We will bring all available resources to bear to solve this horrible crime," said FBI agent James Maddock. "We are all committed to solving this crime and bringing those responsible to justice." He wouldn't comment on how Julie or the other sightseers died or what led investigators to her body. Tuolomne County Sheriff Dick Rogers said the discovery of Julie's body "has intensified the investigation." He said further DNA testing next week was expected to confirm the second body in the trunk was Silvina's. Carole Sund and the teen-age girls last were seen alive Feb. 15 at a restaurant in El Portal, just outside Yosemite. The Sunds were from Eureka in northern California. Julie's body was found on a steep, grassy hill that drops down into Don Pedro Lake reservoir, about an hour from where their torched car was found. It also is one of the most direct routes to Modesto, where Carole Sund's billfold was found.

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