The FBI has confirmed that a body found in Colorado is that of 10-year old Jessica Ridgeway. The 5th grader disappeared October 5th, she never showed up at school. Investigators are still looking for the person who killed her.
"Our focus has changed from the search for Jessica to a mission of justice for Jessica," Westminster Police Chief Lee Birk said. "We realize there is a predator at large in our community."
Ridgeway's great grandmother lives in Wichita. She's been in constant contact with relatives in Colorado waiting for new details on the case. The FBI has asked her not to do any on camera interviews while the search is on-going.
Ridgeway was supposed to meet friends at a park in Westminster, Colorado to walk to school together, but Jessica never made it.
"I knew when they called and said she hadn't come to school, I knew something was wrong," said Jessica's mother Sarah Ridgeway.
Police found the 5th grader's back pack and her water bottle within days of her disappearance, which set off a frantic search of the area.
On Wednesday night, crews found a body seven miles from where Jessica disappeared. Identification has been difficult because police say the body was not "intact".
Now, investigators are asking for the public's help in finding Jessica's kidnapper.
"We feel someone in the community knows this individual well enough to notice these small variations in their behavior, their demeanor, something about their physical appearance," said FBI Spokesperson Dave Joly.
Jessica's great grandmother plans to go to Colorado soon to be with relatives, perhaps as early as this weekend.
*Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
