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Fingerprint Comparisons Confirm Identity In Autopsy Of Missing OC Woman

MISSION VIEJO (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Thursday confirmed the identity of a missing 28-year-old woman whose body was located in the Cleveland National Forest through fingerprint comparisons.

A group of biologists working for Caltrans discovered a body Monday night in a creek bed, located one mile east of the San Juan Capistrano Fire/Ranger Station on the Ortega Highway near Hot Springs Road, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

On Wednesday, the OCSD's Coroner Division conducted an autopsy, which revealed there were no obvious physical signs of trauma.

Fingerprints that were collected positively matched with the Cal-ID records to officially confirm Erica Alonso's identity.

Alonso was reportedly last seen Feb. 15 after leaving her boyfriend's home in Irvine. Her car was discovered about a mile away from her house a month after she was reported missing.

The cause of her death remains undetermined at this time.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to process evidence.

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Unit at (714) 647-7055 or (714) 647-7000.

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