GRANDVIEW, Mo. – Police have confirmed that a body found in Longview Lake Park is that of Kelsey Smith.
A search team of 240 police officers and cadets and FBI and DEA agents and search dogs scoured a large wooded and grassy area in teams of 20. They were looking for any evidence that Kelsey has been there.
"There's high grass, brush, there's weeds, there's lots of trees, it's not going to be easy," said FBI Spokesperson Jeff Lanza.
Authorities chose that area to search after learning that the last response from Kelsey's cell phone, a ping as they called it, was from a cellular tower at Byars Road near Highway 150.
One team discovered the body around 1:30 p.m. near Highgrove and Raytown Roads. It was confirmed to be Kelsey about 3 p.m.
Longview Lake Park is about 20 miles from the Target store where the 18-year-old was abducted on Saturday.
In a news conference at 4 p.m. Police Chief John Douglass said new development does not mean that the public is no longer needed in helping to solve the case. Also, her body being found in Missouri makes it a multi-jurisdictional case and authorities in Kansas, Missouri and from the FBI are in the process of planning the next step.
Chief Douglass said public tips have lead officers to interview many men resembling the man seen in the videos and photos, but they have not singled out any one person. They have also investigated many leads about trucks resembling the one they are after.
When asked if parents need to be more concerned about their teenage daughters while the suspect is at large, Chief Douglass said: "I think we all need to remain vigilant no matter what."
Hillcrest Covenant Church of Prairie Village, Kan., the family's church, has said that a service will be held for Kelsey around 7 p.m. tonight. The address is 8100 Nall. The public is welcome.
During the news conference Chief Douglass expressed the Smith family's gratitude for the outpouring of support and volunteer manpower.
Grief counseling is being offered at Kelsey's high school, Shawnee Mission West.
Counselors will be on hand from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The service is being offered to students, alumni and friends.
