SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said remains that were found on Torrey Pines State Beach last week belonged to a 10-year-old girl who was one of those on board a panga that capsized in Del Mar earlier this month.
The remains were found by a passerby on May 21 who immediately contacted law enforcement.
On Thursday, the Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the remains belonged to a 10-year-old girl named Mahi Brijeshkumar Patel.
Patel was one of the passengers of a panga that had capsized on May 5 at Del Mar Beach, according to the medical examiner’s office. The office added that Patel was missing and could not be located when law enforcement and other emergency personnel arrived.
The vessel was found near the 12000 block of North Torrey Pines Road and triggered a multi-agency response from the San Diego Police Department, Del Mar lifeguards, Border Patrol agents, the United States Coast Guard and other local authorities.
According to local officials, as many as 18 people were believed to have been on the boat at the time, including alleged smugglers.
Jorge Sanchez, deputy fire chief with the Encinitas Fire Department, confirmed that at least three people were killed in the incident.
Three bodies were recovered, including a 14-year-old boy from India identified in court records as P.P.B.
Eight of the nine migrants who had been missing from the boat were accounted for, with the exception of P.P.B’s 10-year-old sister, authorities previously stated.
On Wednesday, May 21, a passerby at Torrey Pines State Beach came across human remains which were later turned over to authorities.
The medical examiner stated Patel’s parents have been notified of DNA testing that confirmed her identity.
The cause and manner of her death are still pending investigation.
Five Mexican nationals were detained in relation to the alleged smuggling scheme after Border Patrol agents stopped vehicles that were seen leaving the area where the boat capsized.
Julio Cesar Zuniga-Luna, 30, and Jesus Juan Rodriguez-Leyva, 36, were charged with bringing in aliens resulting in death and bringing in aliens for financial gain. Meanwhile, Melissa Jenelle Cota, 33, Gustavo Lara, 32, and Sergio Rojas-Fregosa, 31, were charged with transportation of illegal aliens.
