ALTON — Police here are investigating the death of a teenager whose body was found days after being reported missing.
The Mission Fire Department’s dive team pulled the body of 18-year-old Elias Barajas from a lake off Mile 5 1/2 Road and North Mayberry Boulevard Sunday afternoon, according to Alton Police Chief Jonathan Flores. The team was assisted by the Alton Fire Department, as well as Mission and Alton police.
Barajas was first reported missing Thursday, and police received information on Saturday that the teenager was last seen early Friday morning in the vicinity of Harding Avenue and North Chicago Street heading toward the lake.
An autopsy was ordered, Flores said, which will be performed Monday.
“Right now everything is very preliminary,” the chief said. “We’re not ruling anything out at this time.”
