Charred body found in orchard identified as Tacoma girl
By The Associated Press



YAKIMA — A charred body found in an orchard near Yakima has been identified as a 14-year-old Tacoma girl who disappeared in September.

The Yakima sheriff's office says Jaleeza Ann Lobdell was identified through DNA testing and the case is being investigated as a homicide

The body was found by irrigation workers Sept. 17, two days after the girl accepted a ride from two men in Tacoma. She was reported missing by her mother.

Yakima County Coroner Maury Rice found cocaine in the girl's system. She died of burns and fluid in the lungs, which can be caused by smoking cocaine.

The Pierce County sheriff's office may take over the case if the investigation indicates she was killed in their jurisdiction.