MASSIVE SEARCH San Luis Obispo Police Department confirmed the body of a female found in Prefumo Canyon is that of 26-year-old Kristen Marti. Members of the SLO County Sheriff's Search and rescue team (pictured) participated in the March 25 search. Credit: Photo By Courtesy Of The SLO Police Department

The San Luis Obispo Police Department confirmed that a body found during a large-scale search of Prefumo Canyon is that of 26-year-old Kristen Marti.

In an April 2 press release, the department said that an autopsy had been conducted, but officials declined to give a cause of death, stating that the investigation was still ongoing.

MASSIVE SEARCH San Luis Obispo Police Department confirmed the body of a female found in Prefumo Canyon is that of 26-year-old Kristen Marti. Members of the SLO County Sheriff’s Search and rescue team (pictured) participated in the March 25 search. Credit: Photo By Courtesy Of The SLO Police Department

“Investigators have been in close contact with the Marti family throughout this investigation,” the department’s release stated.

Marti, a SLO resident, was reported missing on Jan. 18. Police said she was last seen on Jan. 9 in the 1800 block of Prefumo Canyon Road. On March 25, SLO police and members of other law enforcement agencies conducted a search of the canyon, where a K-9 search and rescue team found a body, later identified as Marti’s, in a creek near the roadway.

Shortly after the body was discovered, investigators confirmed that they were investigating Marti’s case as a homicide. As of April 4, the department has not announced any arrests in Marti’s case. Police previously said they had identified a person of interest in the case but did not release his identity.

Anyone with information about the case is can contact the SLOPD at (805) 781-7312 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-STOP.

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Chris McGuinness is a New Times staff writer covering crime, criminal justice, and local government in SLO County. Follow him on Twitter at @CWMcGuinness Send news tips to cmcguinness@newtimesslo.com...

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1 Comment

  1. SO are the public at risk of another being victimized by the murderer or do they have their person of interest in custody already? Seems to not be a concern, but all things considered….

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