19-Year Old Male Suspect Arrested After Body of Missing California Teen Was Found Near a Dam

California officials arrested a man in connection with the death of a young woman whose body was found near a lake in Northern California.

Anthony Pimentel of San Leandro was arrested on Oct. 1 on charges of killing his former girlfriend, Mariah Davis.

“I know I’m never going to see my daughter again, my only daughter, I’m never going to see her again,” Alfreda James, the victim’s mother told KTVU on Monday. “I just don’t know why he killed her and left her out in a field. Why would someone do that?”

Mariah Davis

(photo credit: East Bay Regional Park District Police)

The 19-year-old was the last person to be seen with Davis at the La Piñata restaurant on Sept. 23. He turned himself into San Leandro police and told officers where to look for the victim’s body. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail and was not eligible for bail.

“I just don’t know why he killed her and left her out in a field. Why would someone do that?” said James.

Davis, 18, was found a mile up the road from Lake Chabot Dam on fenced property owned by East Bay Municipal Utility District. Her car was later discovered in San Leandro. According to police reports, Pimentel confessed to strangling Davis.

Davis’ family said they became concerned after the victim never responded back to their texts or phone calls. They checked Davis’ job at “In-N-Out Burger” in Pinole, but said they just “couldn’t find her.”

The victim’s mother described Pimentel as aggressive and violent.

“He hit her, he put her out on the freeway to walk off the freeway,” James told KTVU, “and that’s the type of guy he was. I tried to warn my daughter.”

Davis aunt Phyllis James said, “I understand that she is 18, and she is an adult. … But we were telling them the circumstances are not right, they’re not right, listen to what we’re telling you.”

James described her daughter as sweet, but a little too trusting. She hopes her daughter’s tragedy sends a message to others about domestic abuse.

“Young girls need to watch the signs,” said James, “and if these guys hit you one time, they’re going to hit you again.”

Davis would have turned 19 on Oct. 31.

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