No arrests yet in homicide

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Published 12/17/2008 in News : Police

BY SHAJIA AHMAD

Police have made no arrests as of this morning in the homicide investigation of a 16-year-old girl found dead in Garden City.

The body of Deerfield teenager Julia Quintana was found Tuesday morning in a Dumpster in the west alley behind 1009 N. Fourth St., according to police. Quintana had been missing since Saturday and was last seen by friends and family around 6 p.m. that day.

Law enforcement officials are investigating the incident as a homicide, but will not release details of her manner of death until an autopsy report has been completed, Garden City Police Capt. Michael Utz said. Her body has been sent to the Regional Forensic Center in Wichita.

A search continues today at the 1009 N. Fourth St. home, said Utz, but the police captain could not say whether the resident or residents of the house are suspected of involvement in the alleged crime.

"We're going to work on this case diligently," Utz said during a press conference Tuesday. "We are trying to put pieces of the puzzle together."

Quintana was a sophomore at the New Outlook Academy, 1401 Jones Ave. Before she went missing Saturday, she had come to Garden City from Deerfield to socialize with friends, law enforcement officials said.

Quintana was part of a co-ed wrestling team for some time, said Roy Cessna, a public information officer with the school district. Superintendent Rick Atha said he met Quintana and her mother last year when they were requesting open enrollment in the Garden City public schools.

"I met her only once, but I remember she was a very nice young lady," said Atha, who added that the possible murder of a student is an extremely rare situation for him in his experience as an educator.

Atha said ninth- through 12th-grade students and staff at the New Outlook Academy were sent home with letters about Quintana's death and that counseling is available for all at the academy and at Garden City High School.

Quintana's family, including her mother, Monica Espinoza, filed missing-person reports on Sunday with the Kearny County Sheriff's Office and Garden City Police Department.

Espinoza said Monday that she hadn't heard from her daughter for several days, and hoped an Amber Alert would be issued by law enforcement officials to find her daughter. Law enforcement officials said at the time that the details of the missing-person report and investigation did not fit state-regulated criteria to allow them to issue an Amber Alert because they did not have indiction that an abduction had taken place, or that the girl was in imminent danger, according to Kearny County Undersheriff David Horner.

The GCPD followed up on leads Sunday after several interviews with friends and associates, and police checked several possible locations for the missing girl, they said.

Friends and family had distributed fliers with Quintana's picture and contact information Sunday and Monday around Garden City.

Quintana's white Pontiac Aztek was found abandoned in the 300 block of Sixth Street near Finnup Park on Sunday. Utz said he could not comment on the vehicle's connection to the case or specific evidence.

Law enforcement officials took aerial pictures of the residence and alleyway with the aid of a fire truck and ladder from the Garden City Fire Department, and had blocked traffic on Pony Street and Hazel Street in between Fourth and Fifth streets for several hours Monday. The streets are cleared for traffic today, but police officers continue to maintain a presence in the alleyway where Quintana was found. Yellow crime-scene tape outlines the residence on Fourth Street.

Quintana had last logged into her Myspace account on Monday, according to the social networking Web site. On her profile, she wrote that she admires life, her friends, and especially her mother.

Officials from the Kearny County Sheriff's Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Finney County Attorney's Office are assisting the GCPD with the case.

This is the first homicide investigation this year in Garden City, Utz said. Anyone with information should contact the GCPD at 276-1300.

Found 55 comment(s)!

Sorry for your loss

Sorry to hear about your daughter.Monica May god bless you and your family. your cousin Kenneth Martinez

Posted by: Kenneth Martinez Greeley Colorado on 12/25/2008

GC Residents need some answers!

There are a lot of rumors floating around town, some of them very concerning to other members of this community. I think the Telegram should follow up on some of those to determine if this murder may have been prevented. For Example: Why wasn't an Amber Alert Issued? A previous article stated that there was no "immenent danger". Huh...obviously there was. The next question I would like to see asked, is if the amber alert had been issued, would it have given the family a better chance of finding her still alive? The time of death will tell us that. Finally, there is rumor that Julie's mom tried to file the missing person report in Garden City and GCPD treated the situation as a run away, and would not file the report. I would like for someone to ask this question to the PD. Is this rumor true? My concern is that the PD didn't do everything within their power to assist Julie's family and friends when they were so desperate for help. With all of these questions, it still remains that there may have been a better chance of finding her alive!

Posted by: Sympathetic GC Mother! on 12/22/2008

How Terrible

I think that this is a Tragedy. Why wasnt an Amber alert put into place her murder could have been prevented. Has anyone checked to see if she had any online boyfriends could be a lead there has the FBI been notified we need real investigaters they would have done the amber alert and she would still be alive. No but in the world we have today the police saw mexican and figured runaway or druggy not important NO MISSING PERSON MISSING KID IS WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN AND DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT to the family contact KBI FBI and turn them dahm local cops in for not doing there job right

Posted by: ANGRY NEWS READER on 12/22/2008

Death Penalty

Kansas won't use the Death Penalty. The reason why is because Kansas is to religious. I hope they find this guy.

Posted by: Unknown on 12/22/2008

Family

Your family is in our prayers and thoughs each and everyday!!! I hope to god one day that this man or whoever did this to julia will rot in hell!! I hope they find this person soon. Our town nothing really happens here so we need to all come together for the town of gc and deerfield and lakin.. God be with ur family at this time of need....

Posted by: Candice Deere on 12/21/2008

Hernan 'PJ' Zerarra

Some people do become professionals, but you didn't. Put your pajamas on and go crawl in your hole. This was a human being with friends, relatives and cared by people who didn't even know her. A petite young lady. I only wish that I was there to protect her. You are a deeply troubled person. Rest in peace Julia.

Posted by: old enough to be her father on 12/19/2008

I miss u Julia

i miss my friend. I want her back but wat can i do shes gone. but i dont belive she is i just cant belive it i miss her so much. why would ANYBODY do this. why would they take a girls life specially away from her mom dats just sick who ever did this must have a sick mind

Posted by: Julias Friend For Ever Angelica Ramirez on 12/19/2008

Amber Alert

It makes one think if the Amber Alert for her would've been issued the day her mother reported her missing, could her death have been prevented?

Posted by: Unknown on 12/19/2008

REST iN PEACE

iT'S SO SAD HEARiNG EVERYBODY SAY "DiD U HEAR ABOUT THAT GiRL THAT WAS FOUND iN THAT DUMPSTER". tHEY SHOULDNT OF SAiD WHERE YOU WERE FOUND JULiA THAT JUST MAKES EVERYTiNG A WHOLE LOT WORSE. EVERYBODY HERE iN G.C GOTS A BiG MOUTH AND R FULL OF LiES. BUT GRL ONLY U KNOW WHAT HAPPNED & SOON EVERYBODY ELSE WiLL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED & THE PERSON THAT DiD THiS TO YOU WiLL BE PUT AWAY FOR THE REST OF HiS DAMN LiFE! BECAUSE HE DESERVES TO SUFFER & BURN iN HELL FOR WHAT HE DiD TO U. SUCH AN iNNOCENT GiRL @ A YUNG AGE! i PRAY TO ALL YOUR FAMiLY & UR MOTHER ESPECIALLY.WELL i JUST HOPE YOU & YOUR FAMiLY GET THE JUSTiCE YOU GUYS ALL DESERVE BECAUSE NOBODY DESERVES TO BE LEFT WiTH AN EMPTY ENDiNG TO SUCH A CRUEL CRiME. SO i WiSH ALL THE BEST & ALL THE LUCK iN FiNDiNG WHO DiD THiS TO YOU!! WE LOVE U & MSS YOU JULiA <3.

Posted by: STEPHANiE MUNOZ on 12/18/2008

sleep w/ tha angels...

1st-Hernan Zegarra, you're lame for even leavin that messed up comment! you got no heart what so ever! and who cares about what time you had your pj's on by?!... 2nd-Although i didnt kno Julia, ima keep her in my prayers! and ta whoever did this, "you is one nasty, cold hearted person! they gonna find you!! anyways, Julia..may you sleep with tha angels!!

Posted by: ME on 12/18/2008

sorry for ur loss

my thoughts and prayers are are with u. i am really sorry for wat happen to ur loved one. how could sum one be so cruel to an innocent girl.the only one that nos who did it is god. who ever did this needs to to be put away 4 life.may god bless u and my prayers r with u.

Posted by: Tammy munoz on 12/18/2008

We will all miss her...

Julie was a very sweet girl who befriended nearly everyone. I have no doubt in saying that she is in a much better place now, even though she did not deserve what was done to her. We will miss her.

Posted by: S.Y. on 12/18/2008

Julie

I still cant belive that happened to you. I wish you where still here. You were a very pretty girl and that person who killed you needs to go to hell... well now your in a better place and my you rest in peace...

Posted by: hope on 12/18/2008

SORRY FOR YOUR LOST

I THINK THIS IS THE WOURS THING A PARIENT COULD GO THROUGH NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS BECAUSE A STUPIED PERSON THINKS THIS WAS FUN OR WORTH IT THEY WILL PAY FOR THIS STUPIED THING THEY DID TO HER AND HER FAMILY FRIENDS AND EVEN THE FAMILY OF THE PERSON THAT DID THIS TO HERE THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS ALSO NOT JUST HER FAMILY YOU CAN GUIDE YOUR KIDS SO FAR THEN THEY MAKE THERE OWN CHOICES THE ONLY THING IS JUST BE THERE FOR THEM WHEN THEY NEED YOU I THINK HERNAN IS AN ASS TO BE SAYING STUPIED CRAP LIKE THAT I THINK YOU NEED TO GO TO HELL TO R.I.P JULIA AND LOVE TO HER FAMILY

Posted by: T on 12/18/2008

Sorry for your loss

Im trulely sorry for the loss of your loved one. I hope the police find whoever is responsible. I have lil sisters. And thinkin if it was one or them. I can't even imagine how you feel. Im not a real religous person. But my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who ever knew her. So to all the family members and friends of hers out there. IM SO SORRY. Pleaase try to hold your head up

Posted by: Robert Jewell on 12/18/2008

To Julias family

My thoughts and prayers. I can only imagine the pain you are going through. Only our lord knows why things happened the way they did. Keep in mind Julia is in a better place now. I pray that the person or persons (if you can even call them that) responsible for this pay,if not in this world while alive, then later in hell. Though I never knew Julia this has truly hurt me.

Posted by: LM on 12/18/2008

a good friend lost

she was a very good person who didn't deserve this kind of death it is wrongful i just hope that they guy(s) did this will rot in side and out and they suffer as much as this poor inocent girl julie did R.I.P

Posted by: eric and erick on 12/18/2008

Hernan Zerarra

Well to begin, Hernan what gives you the right to run around pointing fingers. You're perfect right? Doubt that very much, I can see that in your english. Don't see what good it does to live like you do when you don't even have sympathy for this girls family. When you go to church, pray something like this never happens to you or someone you love. Sick people like the ones that commited this crime don't care what kind of life you live. It can happen to anyone. God bless Julia.

Posted by: LM on 12/18/2008

this is shocking poor girl. Very sad for the mother wouldnt want this to happen to anybody. Dont know how there can be cruel ppl out there but they will be judged. hernan you should not make any comments you are an idiot!! obviously your parents didnt teach you any manners since you say your such a good person.

Posted by: GC resident on 12/18/2008

My thoughts...

First and foremost I want to send my symphathy to the family. Losing a family member is hard and has to be much harder when the person is young. Especially in this matter. Everybody mourns in different ways. I think that we need to let this poor girl rest in peace. Who ever this man is that is saying that it was the parents fault for this is the most ignorant person I have ever heard of. How dare you say that it was the mother's fault? Yes, I agree that teens today CAN be out of control, but...I have known many many people who have a very strict upbringing with church and family time, and they too have turned out not so good. So tell me this, because this mother may not have spent time with her child caused them to kill an innocent girl? No. I hear that the man who wrote this is a doctor. By all means I am no doctor, but I do know that NOBODY in their right state of mind will kill. Being of a medical proffesion I assumed you would know that. But maybe your years of family toghetherness and schooling and church time has taught you nothing. I am a catholic girl who knows that God works in mysterious ways and tests peoples faith. We are NO ONE to question why this happened. Let this little girl rest in peace and the family mourn. And to everyone else, lets hope and pray that nothing of this sort happens to our family. Monica and family, God bless you and you're in my prayers.

Posted by: A.W. on 12/18/2008

R.i.P

i think its very sad this happend to julia she was a very sweet girl and she will be missed very much and thats a promise.. your ina better place now and u can r.i.p.... if she was on her myspace on monday. they should really track the computer she logged onto. isnt the library right by 4th st.? maybe they should go check the cameras there and the sign in sheet!

Posted by: unknown.! on 12/18/2008

I'm so sorry.

I just want to say that the family will be in my thought in prayers. Nobody deserves this, I just pray that whoever did this will be found!

Posted by: Amanda on 12/18/2008

Julie

My daughter used to play with Julie when she was small, and I know Julie's mom, grandmother and aunts. I am so saddened by this tragedy. My prayers and love are with this family. I am very upset by those of you who are using this forum to put down Julie and her family. No one deserves to die and especially not the way that Julie did! Yes, we all die sometime, but this did not have to be Julie's time. If you want to blame someone, why don't you blame the Kearny County Sheriff Department. Julie's mom did the right thing, she went to the Sheriff department asking for help and they wouldn't do a Amber Alert. Julie's family put out posters, called her friends and went out looking for her. I experinced something similar with the Kearny County Sheriff's office when my daughter was missing a few years ago. They would not put out a Amber Alert and did very little to help us find her. I was lucky, my daughter came home alive, but not because of any help from the Kearny County Sheriff's Office. Our law enforcement officers are supposed to serve and protect, not write off every teen who is missing as they are just mad at their parents and they will show up when they are ready. When a child (anybody under 18) goes missing, I think we should err on the side of caution and take those extra steps to do whatever we can to find them. No matter what it costs, the life of child is priceless and we should not put a dollar amount on it.

Posted by: A friend on 12/18/2008

time for community to come through, not judge.

The last I heard of this news she was missing untill my sister told me she was found dead. This is a horrible tragedy. I lost my cousin two months ago in Manhattan to a murder as well and this news made me relive those horrible moments. My condolences go out to her family and friends. Comments that mean to harm the family like those of Hernan Zegarra should not even be aknowledged. This is a time when the family needs love and support not to be judged by a total stranger. This does not happen in our community often and we need to pull together to help this family get through this in this time of need, instead of judging them. Hopefully those who know who did this or have a suspicion can help try to solve this case because this affects all of our community when there is a person capable of doing this in our community.

Posted by: May you rest in peace. on 12/18/2008

Al Staff

So sorry to hear what happed! Justice will be served to thoes who did this! We are praying for you Monica, Mary Martin and Family!!

Posted by: Assisted Living Staff in Lakin on 12/18/2008

Julie

I am so sad for you. I can not image what you went thru. I pray for the family! Losing a child is the worst thing. I pray the family gets thru this and that the killer is found quickly. And justice is served. With that being said. Kids this is the reason we are paerents what to know your where abouts at all times. Having a child missing is an unbelievable feeling and believe me, I've been there. Thankfully we found her safe. Kids just let your parents know where you are and who you are going to be with. With God's Love

Posted by: Jane on 12/18/2008

Soory

I will like to say to the mother that I fill really sorry for wht has happend to her daughter!and that if she needs something that my family and I are her for her, even thought I didn'tknow her daughter!

Posted by: Jenny Ramirez on 12/18/2008

Julie Quintana

It has sadden me dearly to read about your passing and only hope the person/people responsible will be found. Twice a day, to and from work, I pass the place you were last discovered. I could only wonder what happened to you. I am sad for you, your friends and most importantly your family. May you rest in peace Julie and may your family find answers to their questions. Seeing your pictures on MySpace you appear to be a wonderful and happy girl. God Bless.

Posted by: M on 12/18/2008

Thats soo sad!!!

I went to the new outlook academy for two years...and lived in garden city a whole lot longer...and nothing that horrible has happened to some one that young...comming from personal experience...i no that every one at new outlook is like a big family of its own...and she will be loved and missed by a lot of people...i hope they catch who ever did this and loc him up...and never let him out for what he did...and i hope that her family receives a lot of love and comfort from all those who were close to her...

Posted by: Tia Wagner on 12/18/2008

NO PARENT DESERVES TO LOSE A CHILD!

Hernan, obviously you are not a professional. Your english is horrible. You should never judge anyones parenting skills, ever heard of KARMA????? I will be praying for her family...

Posted by: JGH on 12/17/2008

WHO IS REALLY TO BLAME?

COME ON PEOPLE ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS DO YOU THINK THAT BLAMING THESE PARENTS AT A TIME LIKE THIS IS REALLY APPROPRIATE? ANYWAYS WHO ARE WE TO POINT FINGERS AND JUDGE THIS POOR FAMILY AT A TIME LIKE THIS GET REAL PEOPLE INSTEAD OF CRITIZING THIS FAMILY FOR WHAT OUR PERSONAL VIEWS ARE WE SHOULD BE OFFERING OUR SUPPORT IN FINDING OUT WHO DID THIS HORRIBLE THING TO THIS POOR YOUNG GIRL! I FEEL SO SORRY FOR THIS GIRLS FAMILY AND FRIENDS I HAVE 2 DAUGHTERS OF MY OWN I WILL KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Posted by: HAPPY THOUGHT 2008 on 12/17/2008

to sherri

First of all person who never got into trouble, very inappropriate. You obviuosly don't know compassion (Christianity 101 by the way). Also who are you to define what professionalism is. But I guess if your ready to throw the first stone you must be down right perfect.

Posted by: Priscilla on 12/17/2008

Julie

well i didnt talk to julie much during all this we were good friends at one point after awhile we werent as close..she was best friends wit my best friend so i talked to her alot more often i js cant believe sumone would have the nerve to do something like this..julie we all love you and miss you! julie was an azming gurl she was funny nice everything! we miss you!

Posted by: Unknown on 12/17/2008

Julie

julie was a good girl and everyone loved her with all thier heart she filled it with joy and happyness she was a very great and awsome girl to have in our lives but she left our lives 2 go into the hands of God watch over us Julie cuz we will all but looken up at u i am goin 2 miss u so much Julie u r oneperson i could talk to and u never judged me or anyone else u were a good person and i am very very sure your family was proud to have u as thier daughter and sister no matter what anyone says Hernan you are one person who dont matter cuz u never probably didnt now this wounderful and full of life girl to evey be able to judge her or her family you are passing judgement so judgement shall be passed on to you when you try to enter the lords heavenly gates

Posted by: Mekayla Flores on 12/17/2008

Julia

If she was logged on her MySpace on monday, I think the investigators should find out where she was when she logged on, because you know they can; if they have the means to do everything else, they need to see if they can see exactly where she logged on from.

Posted by: Kyla on 12/17/2008

Parents Responsible!?!?

Whoever thinks that obviously does not live in the real world, because truth be told; some of the worst teens are the ones who come from "good homes," because lets face it, they are the ones who have the means to get out of the trouble they get into. As parents we can do our best, but there are outside influences at work, such as school or work, or just hangin' out with friends and some freak could come out of nowhere and do something stupid. Her mom is a good mom and we were best friends in elementary school, and Julia was my brothers and my cousin's friend. She was my other cousin's cousin so that practically made her family and though I moved away five years ago, I will miss her and think of her often. I hope she remembered me even though she was little the last time I saw her. Prayers for her mother and her siblings. We love you Julia!

Posted by: Kyla on 12/17/2008

related notes

I would like to thank the school counselors who were very helpful, concerned and sensitive. I would like to thank businesses that allowed the missing person's fliers to be posted. Sadly, there were some that did not allow fliers to be posted at their establishment.

Posted by: Linda Martinez on 12/17/2008

So Sad

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. We all think that things like this happen in big cities, but it goes to show us all that there are sick people everywhere.

Posted by: peach35 on 12/17/2008

Hernan Zegarra

Death is a part of life. But no one desesrves to be murdered. The person(s)who committed this horrible act are responsible, NOT THE FAMILY. You owe the family an apology!

Posted by: DH on 12/17/2008

Hernan Zegarra

Death is apart of life. But no one deserves to be murdered. Your Comment was way out of line, and I feel sorry for you! You owe the family an apology. Her parents raising her had no affect on what happened. The person(s)who took part in this horrible act are the one(s) to blame, NOT THE FAMILY!

Posted by: DH on 12/17/2008

THiSz iSz SO SAD!!! =[[

WHO EVER DiD THiSz iSz MESSED UP AND SiCK HOPEFULLy THEy FOUND WHO DiD iT!!! R.i.P jULiE. . . PRAyERSz TO HER AND FAMiLy!!! NEVER THAT SOMETHiNG SO BAD WOULD EVER HAPPEN HERE iN GARDEN!!! =[[

Posted by: UNKNOWN! on 12/17/2008

Hernan Zegarra

What you said it completely out of line and inappropriate. She was a nice girl. Go to hell Hernan

Posted by: Pissed on 12/17/2008

Good friend

She was a good friend always cheerful and energetic. i dont know why somebody would do that to her=(

Posted by: Angie on 12/17/2008

A mothers worst Nightmare

All of our thoughts and prayers are with Monica and her family. We will always have a very special love in our hearts for sweet Julie. All of our Love Raul and Sheri Carrillo and Family.

Posted by: Sheri on 12/17/2008

Police investigating possible murder of teen girl

Teens are totally out of control. Parents should guide them to a better lifestyle, church, library, family gatherings. Weekdays afternoon are to be occupied in homework. I remember we change to our pajamas soon after we got home from school on weekdays. And never got in trouble. And we turned out to be professionals. Parents are responsible of their children outcomings.

Posted by: Hernan Zegarra on 12/17/2008

Missing Teen

I am so sorry for the friends and family of this child. No one deserves to lose someone so young, but especially at this time of the year which is suppose to be cheerful.

Posted by: Ron on 12/17/2008

this is so sad

i just wanted to say that she was a very very dear friend of mine i was there for and she always there for me now thats she gone its going to be hard for me and hard for a lot of people she will be missed i will always love her and always think about her hope to see her soon in heaven Love roman ruiz

Posted by: roman ruiz on 12/17/2008

Shocking

It is really sad to hear something like this in an area where we think we are safe. But now days you can't trust anyone. I Hope they catch who did it.

Posted by: kayce on 12/17/2008

When they catch the person who did it I hope they get the death penalty.

Posted by: David on 12/17/2008

What a terrible thing to do

I can believe that some one would do some thing like this but not here in garden. Things like this hardly happen in garden. I just hope that they fid the guy or guys who did this to my cousin

Posted by: a really sad cousin on 12/17/2008

Messed up

Idk why anyone would even thinking of killing a kid... What could she have possibly done

Posted by: Josh on 12/17/2008

A very good Friend

She was always happy there was nothing that could bring her down its unbelievable that she gone, i wish she could come back somehow, i hope they find that person snd put him in jail for life!!!

Posted by: Maria on 12/17/2008

sad story

this story is sad. i hope they find the people who ever did the crime and put them away for life!!

Posted by: chris ozburn on 12/16/2008

Police investigating possible murder of teen girl

did the police check her myspace?? She was logged in yesterday.

Posted by: Lasette on 12/16/2008

muder

i cant believe some one could do this to such an inoccent girl.

Posted by: Hannah on 12/16/2008

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