The cause of death of 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell was “other than accidental” and the case is being investigated as a homicide, officials said Friday.
“That is the one thing we can put out right now,” said Officer Victor Avila, Thornton Police Department spokesman.
The Adams County Coroner positively identified the child’s body found Thursday as that of Kiaya. Thornton police and Colorado Bureau of Investigation authorities are investigating the girl’s death.
Kiaya was reported missing Wednesday night. Her body was discovered Thursday afternoon in a green belt area about 1½ miles from where the girl disappeared during a rainstorm.
The girl’s disappearance triggered a huge search involving hundreds of community volunteers and authorities from 23 different rescue and law enforcement agencies, Avila said. The searchers included Ronnie Baca, 34, who said he found the body in a green area with tall grass, a creek and cattails.
“It hasn’t affected me anywhere near what it has the family. Just like everybody else I could not imagine what the family is going through,” Baca said.
Police were called at 11:52 p.m. Wednesday to a home in the 12400 block of Forest Drive on a report of a missing child. Police posted a notice about the missing girl on Twitter, at 6:55 a.m. Thursday. An Amber alert was issued at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. The search was called off by late afternoon.
“We do have a history of events at the house,” Avila said, but he would not provide details about the calls.
Kiaya was last seen with her 15-year-old stepbrother. The boy told police that when it began raining hard he ran and became separated from Kiaya.
Homicide investigators have been involved in the investigation from the beginning, Avila said. No one is being held in connection with the investigation, he said. Police also have not identified anyone as a suspect or person of interest.
“We’re at the beginning of a very, very large investigation,” Avila said. “We’re following every issue including the weather.”
Police and rescue workers searched culverts Thursday in case a flash flood possibly had swept the girl away. But several neighbors said the rain was not heavy and there was no flooding.
“There were no rushing torrents on this creek,” said a man who lives next to the creek, which was still surrounded Friday by yellow crime tape. “It makes me very sad, and angry and upset that I was not there to help when she needed it.”
The man said police knocked on his door Thursday night and asked whether he had a surveillance camera that may have recorded the child, but the man did not. Police also asked if he had heard anything, but he had not.
A line of police officers walked slowly up and down the green belt searching for possible evidence Friday afternoon. Bouquets of flowers were left near a concrete walkway close to where the body was found.
A bouquet of a dozen pink roses was left near the large duplex owned by Kiaya’s stepmother. The girl’s father moved into the home a few months ago and Kiaya visited occasionally, neighbors said. “She was just a sweet girl,” one woman said.
The city of Thornton released a statement of condolences from the mayor and city council.
“Today we mourn with all those in our city and beyond that feel the loss of such a beautiful child. We pray for strength and compassion for those close to Kiaya in the coming days and weeks,” the statement reads.
The statement praises the hundreds of volunteers who helped search for Kiaya. “Seeing all of these people with deep concern and resolve to help a child is a clear reminder for all to see that we live in a very special community.”
Thornton city officials also thanked the law enforcement and emergency personnel who helped in the search and asked the community for patience as the investigation continues.
