SAND CANYON (KTLA) – The body of Sarah Alarid, the Canyon Country teen who has been missing since leaving a New Year’s Eve party, was found on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old left the party around 3 a.m., telling friends she was headed home.
But when she never arrived, family members notified authorities and the search began.
It ended Wednesday morning when Alarid’s body, and her silver Ford Focus hatchback, were found 200 feet down a ravine off Sand Canyon Road near the Bear Divide Access Road and Little Tujunga Canyon Road.
Investigators from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office were dispatched to the scene, along with LA County Fire and the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
“We have confirmation that it is the missing girl from Canyon Country,” said Lt. Dave Dolson of the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
“All indications are right now that it’s an accident scene. There’s no indication of foul play, but investigators are still processing the scene.”
Sarah Alarid’s parents Mike and Laura Alarid, who had gone to the scene of a reported shallow grave in Big Tujunga Canyon earlier in the morning, went instead to the scene above the ravine on Sand Canyon Road where Sarah’s car was recovered.
The family later thanked everyone who participated in the search for the well-loved teenager.
“We want to say Thank You to all the friends, family and the community of Sarah Alarid. Your support has been amazing. Our gratitude towards everyone’s efforts can not be expressed enough along with the generous donations from the community.
Special thanks to all the volunteers, facebook community, fire fighters, search and rescue, law enforcement authorities, media, local business owners, and… the entire community for all the support!
Everyone has been asking how they can help, we need help taking down the posters and flyers through the streets of Santa Clarita and surrounding areas.
We love and miss Sarah very much! Please respect the family’s time of grieving. Not only is this a tragedy for the family but also for the community and we understand that. Comfort and prayers are needed now for all.”
The family is holding a candle light vigil tonight at 8:00pm at Todd Longshore Park 28151 White Canyon Road in Canyon County.
Police are searching for a 19-year-old girl who was last seen leaving a New Year’s Eve party in Santa Clarita.
154 Comments to “Sarah Alarid’s Body Recovered in Sand Canyon Ravine”
January 9, 2013 at 4:15 PM
My prayers goes out to you Mike and your family. God is watching over her
Thad Thomas
January 9, 2013 at 4:23 PM
MY HEART AND PRAYERS GOES TO SARAH'S FAMILY….. I WAS REALLY HOPING FOR THE FAMILY TO FIND HER ALIVE BUT OUR WORST NIGHTMARE CAME TRUE I'M REALLY SORRY FOR HER FAMILY IT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART KNOWING ALL THIS YOUNG PEOPLE DYING SO SOON NO ABLE TO ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLEST, WE NEED TO STOP AND COUNT OUR BLESSINGS EVERYDAY OF OUR LIFE'S CAUSE LIFE TO SHORT TO MISS THE SMALLEST DETAIL TO THE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT WE MAKE AND WITNESS EVERYDAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE ESPECIALLY SARAH'S FAMILY
January 9, 2013 at 4:40 PM
I live down the street from this road. It's very windy and lots of people drive off the cliffs. So tragic.
January 9, 2013 at 5:07 PM
God rest her soul. What a tragedy. Prayers to her family and friends.
January 9, 2013 at 6:21 PM
my heart breaks for the family! God bless you sweet one! just one Q how did she get from the party to that area ,if she was on her way home? would that have been the route home?
January 10, 2013 at 4:00 AM
a lot of locals cut through the canyon to get over to where she lived its only 1 mile further than taking the highway. she also was known to hang out in that area, she may have been heading to a friends house or seeking a scenic route to find a spot to watch the sunrise. no one knows for sure.
January 9, 2013 at 6:38 PM
She is in Gods hands !
January 9, 2013 at 7:18 PM
AM VERY SORRY FOR UR LOST
ARE PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY
LET SARAH ALARID REST IN PEACE
January 9, 2013 at 7:59 PM
Even if she had been drinking at the party, we don't if she was driving impaired by the time she actually got behind the wheel. Alcohol dissipates at about one ounce per hour, depending upon body weight. Could have simply been an accident involving what others have mentioned above, i.e., a blown tire, a curve missed in the darkness, slippery road, another car coming at her too close and causing her to swerve, etc. Investigation is ongoing and there are no toxicology reports yet. Plenty of professionals are already investigating, and they have access to pertinent information and forensic evidence that we do not, including possible skid marks. They also have the car to inspect, which could have had a mechanical failure affecting steering; it has happened to me in the past, where I have suddenly lost power steering.
January 9, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Another car could also have come at her with its brights on, blinding her and causing her to miss a curve. Just saying it's too early to decide that it must be one thing or the other — too many possible scenarios.
January 9, 2013 at 8:19 PM
I use to live at the bottom of Hwy 2 in La Canada; I fell asleep to sirens at least 3-4 times per week heading up into the mountains. This is soooo tragic; RIP Sarah. People – BE CAREFUL in those mountains!
January 9, 2013 at 9:27 PM
I followed this story when it first broke and I hope and prayed for Sarah's safe return home, as a parent to four girls, my heart is broken that she did not make it home safely, I am truly sorry and I wish to offer my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends, may the Lord welcome her in heaven with open arms.
January 9, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Horrible loss………Seeing as it was New Year's though you gotta ask the question did alcohol play a big part?
January 9, 2013 at 11:03 PM
I'm the meteorologist that issued the private Freeze Warnings for Black Ice in that area on New Years Eve. NOAA did not issue a thing for that area. I took control of what they should have done to warn those people.
Senior Meteorologist
Southern California Weather Authority.com
January 10, 2013 at 10:12 AM
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Sarah your in my prayers am so sorry for the loss of your loved one.
January 10, 2013 at 5:08 PM
When you drink and drive, this is what happens…just sayin
January 10, 2013 at 5:54 PM
When you drive too fast this happens. When someone coming at you crosses over the center line, this happens. If your tire blows out, this happens. What's your point? Get classy dude.
January 11, 2013 at 5:20 PM
O.K. Captain obvious, I wasn't aware you where there with Sarah on that mountain road when she crashed, or at the party either. How do you know she had drinks? She could've fallen asleep at the wheel or maybe a animal crossed her path causing her to swerve.
January 11, 2013 at 11:03 AM
First off, for the people speculating all this garbage, your idiots. Who cares if she had been drinking, who cares if she had pot in the car. The fact here is that she passed away and there is no reason why her death should be looked at any diffrent then from that of a diffrent matter. Its funny how some of you fucking assholes are so insensitive to such a tragedy. Furthermore, if you dont have anything nice to say; shut the fuck up!!! and continue on with your miserable Facebook posting lives!
January 13, 2013 at 10:06 PM
I can;t believe how you people make up stories on someone that you don't even know. The fact that no one knows why she was on that road that late at night instead of going home will probably always be a mystery, but I was at her friend's house that night and now I am happy to be the one that Sarah spent her last few hrs. alive talking in front a TV and I KNOW she was NOT DRUNK! she had been sober and was proud of it because she had lost a lot of weight and she looked beautiful! so for you "person" that said that you knew her and that you know she drunk at parties…shame on on you because obviously, you did not know her THAT well….My angel Sarah, may you rest in peace