8 months ago
CERES, CA - Investigators said a body found in the backyard of a Ceres home last week is that of missing teen Alycia Mesiti and the girl's father is considered a possible suspect in her disappearance. In a statement released Monday, the Stanislaus County Coroners office confirmed the body found in the backyard on Alexis Avenue last Thursday was Mesiti, who was 15 when she disappeared in August 2006. The cause of death was still being examined and it could take up to two months for the cause of death to be determined, Ceres police Sgt. Jose Berber said. After receiving a tip Wednesday, Ceres Police began digging in the backyard for any sign of Mesiti. According to fliers distributed after her disappearance, Alycia was going camping with friends. She took clothes and her pet Chihuahua. At the time, Alycia's father Mark Mesiti and his girlfriend Shelly Welborn both told authorities they had no idea where Alycia had gone. Since Alycia's disappearance, two separate families lived in the home. After the discovery of Alycia's remains, Berber said authorities working with the Los Angeles Police Department served a search warrant at Mark Mesiti's L.A. apartment to find a working methamphetamine lab. Mesiti and Welborn were arrested on drug charges and child endangerment. Welborn's 12-year-old daughter also lived at the residence, Berber said. While no charges have been filed in the Mesiti case, Berber said Mark Mesiti is considered a possible suspect in his daughter's disappearance.
News10/KXTV
