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The search for a missing West Wendover girl was suspended Saturday morning after discovery of what appeared to be a shallow grave about 5 miles west of the Utah-Nevada border town.
West Wendover police Sgt. David Wiskerchen said a group of about 150 volunteers was told of the development — and the halt to their search for Micaela Costanzo — shortly before noon.
Wiskerchen could not say whether contents of the possible grave site were male, female or even human. Nonetheless, authorities felt the discovery rendered continued searching ill-advised, he acknowledged.
"We decided we needed to suspend the search so we didn't have all those people out there disturbing the scene," he said.
Wiskerchen said the investigation had been turned over to the Elko County, Nev., Sheriff's Office. Queries were referred to Deputy Jim Carpenter, who did not immediately return calls.
Investigators from the Washoe County Forensic Crime Scene Unit will assist the investigation, West Wendover police said.
Costanzo, 16, was last seen leaving West Wendover Junior/Senior High School about 5:15 p.m. Thursday.