By Kim Minugh, Chelsea Phua and Bill Lindelof
cphua@sacbee.com
Citrus Heights police officers arrested the second suspect this evening in the killing of a 17-year-old girl found dead at Van Maren Park this morning, a police spokesman said.
Anton Adolf "Tony" Johnson (photo left), 18, was arrested on suspicion of murder without incident at a house in Carmichael, said police Lt. Jeff Mackanin.
He said detectives were tipped that Johnson had been seen at the house. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department helped in the arrest, he said.
Earlier today, Citrus Heights police arrested a 17-year old suspect on suspicion of murder.
Meanwhile, San Juan Unified School District officials recorded a telephone message for parents this evening identifying the 17-year-old girl found dead at Van Maren Park this morning as Rebecca Layson, a junior at New San Juan High School.
Neither the Sacramento County Coroner's Office nor Citrus Heights police have released the victim's name, citing an ongoing homicide investigation.
The message, recorded by Principal Tony Oddo, was in the process of being sent out to New San Juan High families this evening.
"It is with deep sadness that I must share the passing of one of our students," he said, identifying the girl found at the park as Layson. "Losing a student for any reason is always tragic but these circumstances can cause even greater anxiety and concern for your student. Please be sure to offer your student a chance to talk about any anxiety they may be feeling."
School is not in session next week, although families that would like counseling can contact the district's counseling center free of charge at (916) 971-7640. Families also can contact the Citrus Heights police chaplaincy at (916) 857-1802.
The 17-year-old had last been seen hanging out with friends at the park late Thursday evening, said Lt. Mackanin. One of her parents called police at 1:30 a.m. and reported her missing.
She was immediately deemed "at risk" by police because of her age, Mackanin said.
Police began searching the park about 6 a.m. and discovered the girl's body about 7:15 a.m. in a heavily wooded area of the park, Mackanin said. The coroner's office later was able to positively identify her as the 17-year-old missing girl.
The victim had suffered what appears to be blunt force trauma, Mackanin said. It does not appear any "traditional weapons," such as a gun or knife, were used in the attack, he said.
There were no signs of sexual assault, Mackanin said.
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