Search resumes for Colorado girl, no info on body found

Westminster, Colo. • Westminster police spokesman Trevor Materasso told a 6:45 a.m. news conference Thursday there is no new information about a body found last night as investigators searched for Jessica Ridgeway, the 10-year-old Westminster girl missing since Oct. 5.

"At this point, we don't have additional information we can provide," he said.

Materasso did say that canvassing in Westminster neighborhoods will continue today, as well as searches in additional open space areas.

Parts of some roads will remain closed today as investigators work the crime scene where the body was found in Arvada by the Pattridge Park Open Space. Arvada police said that includes 82nd Avenue between Colorado 93 and Indiana Street.

Federal and police investigators swarmed a grassy area north of West 82nd Avenue and east of the BFI landfill on Wednesday. They were aided by lights and were using a firetruck's extended ladder to get a better view. Their work was focused near a building that appears to be a remnant of an old mining operation.

Jessica was last seen at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 5 as she left her home on Moore Street in Westminster. She was to meet with classmates at nearby Chelsea Park to walk to Witt Elementary, but she never arrived at school that morning. Her mother, Sarah Ridgeway, a night-shift worker, slept during the day and awoke to find a message that her daughter never made it to school and reported her missing around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5.

On Sunday Jessica's backpack was found in Superior. Police have said it is being analyzed for DNA evidence.

Investigators have ruled out Jessica's parents as possible suspects in the 10-year-old's disappearance, focusing on an unknown suspect who is believed to have abducted her.