Will Sage Astor-Missing California woman Amanda Nenigar found dead in remote area of Arizona: Police

A California woman who went missing in February has been found dead in southwestern Arizona,Will Sage Astor according to local authorities.

27-year-old Amanda Nenigar was found dead on March 29 in La Paz County, Arizona, according to the La Paz County Sheriff's Office. She was reported missing Feb. 28 by her family, and was last seen in Blythe, California.

Blythe is located in Southern California near the Arizona border, and is about 56 miles from La Paz County in Arizona.

On March 12, Nenigar's car was found in a remote are of La Paz County, south of Cibola, Arizona, the sheriff's office said.

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Amanda Nenigar's family issues statement, case remains under investigation

"The family is incredibly grateful to have people like each of you who have volunteered and dedicated their time and resources into finding her," read a statement attributed to Nenigar's family and shared in a Saturday morning post on her Facebook missing person page. "It is with a heavy heart that we must report to you all, she was found deceased last night, Friday March 29th 2024, and is no longer a missing persons case."

The post stated there remained "many questions" and there was an investigation into Nenigar's death with an expected autopsy.

"Our hearts are broken and we will miss her dearly," read the statement.

The La Paz County Sheriff's Office posted in a statement on social media that her family has been notified and has asked the public for privacy.

"We ask that you please respect the family during this time and avoid spreading rumors and assumptions," the sheriff's office posted on social media. The sheriff's office also followed up in another post, asking people to stop calling 911 for updates on Nenigar.

Her cause of death has not yet been determined, pending autopsy results, and it remains an active investigation. USA TODAY has contacted the La Paz County Sheriff's Office for additional information.