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Police are releasing few details of what led up to the disappearance and death of a 15-year-old runaway whose body was found this weekend in the Jordan River.
The parents of Anne Grace Kasprzak told police their daughter disappeared some time after 7:45 p.m. Saturday, police confirmed Monday. Detectives have little information as to what happened between then and Sunday morning, when a passer-by found Kasprzak's blood and one shoe on a trail near a footbridge over the Jordan River in Draper.
"We have a young lady, 15 years old, that is dead," said Draper police Sgt. Chad Carpenter. "We need the public's help. If anyone saw her or heard from her, that would help us in this investigation."
Kasprzak's body was found a short distance downstream from the footbridge, near 12600 South, on Sunday afternoon. The shoe she was wearing matched the one abandoned at the footbridge, Carpenter has said.
Carpenter said there were injuries to the girl's body, but he would not provide any detail or even say whether the injuries could have been self-inflicted. Although an autopsy was performed Monday morning, police had not yet learned the cause of Kasprzak's death or whether it was deemed to be a homicide, Carpenter said. He characterized the death only as "suspicious" and declined to discuss any leads.
He also would not discuss the circumstances of her parents' report Saturday night to the Unified Police Department that Kasprzak had run away. UPD Lt. Justin Hoyal also would not comment on that report, or on previous police calls to the girl's home, near 12800 South and 2500 West.
"We are not investigating the runaway [report]," Carpenter said. "Only the death."
Kasprzak was a freshman at Summit Academy high school in Bluffdale. As classes ended Monday, some students were crying and hugging in the hallway.
"It's been a long, sad day," said Principal Steve Crandall. He described Kasprzak as a "normal kid" with a close group of friends.
Crandall said school staff went classroom to classroom on Monday to announce Kasprzak's death and to tell students that grief counseling was available.
"Her friends are having the hardest time," Crandall said.
Police are asking the public to call investigators if they saw the victim or had any contact with her any time after 7:45 p.m. Saturday. Kasprzak was last seen wearing a red plaid shirt, blue jeans, and red sneakers. The first sign of violence was discovered about 10 a.m. Sunday, when someone saw a "substantial amount" of blood on the river trail and called for help. The girl's mother saw media reports about the discovery of the body and called police, according to Carpenter. Carpenter said the mother feared it might be her daughter because she hadn't heard from her "for a bit."
Carpenter said Sunday investigators were unclear how she ended up along the trail in the first place and described the trail as a safe area.
"I don't think this a random act," Carpenter said. "I think this is an isolated act. Our trail system is safe. We encourage people to use the trails."
Anyone with information may call 801-840-4000.
How to help
Draper police are asking the public to call investigators at 801-840-4000 if they saw or had any contact with Anne Kasprzak any time after 7:45 p.m. on Saturday evening.