Nationwide — T’Neya Tovar, a 17-year-old African American girl from California who had been missing for 3 months, was found dead in the desert. Authorities have arrested 51-year-old Abraham Feinbloom in connection with her death, though her full body has yet to be recovered.
T’Neya last shared her location with her mother, Charro Tovar, on December 1, saying she was traveling to Palm Springs and would return soon. When she stopped answering her phone, Charro reported her missing. Her father, Josh Carter, later learned T’Neya had actually gone to Salton City to meet a man.
In the following weeks, her parents repeatedly asked the police to search the man’s home. Deputies knocked on doors but never forced entry. Authorities initially suggested T’Neya might have run away, despite her parents’ insisting she had never done so before.
The investigation took a grim turn on December 21, when a human leg was discovered in Salton City, according to the Daily Mail. Initial testing could not determine the victim’s age, sex, or race. Weeks later, DNA confirmed the leg belonged to T’Neya, providing a critical breakthrough in the case.
Police arrested Feinbloom, a longtime person of interest, for T’Neya’s murder. During his arrest, he tried to flee but was caught. Feinbloom is now in Imperial County Jail, facing murder charges and firearm-related sentencing enhancements. He has pleaded not guilty.
Neighbors said they had long been suspicious of Feinbloom. Some claimed to see T’Neya in his yard, hear a scream, and notice him carry a duffle bag. Feinbloom also has a history of legal troubles, including past fraud and kidnapping allegations, though many charges were dismissed.
Charro says the arrest provides some closure, but questions remain as T’Neya’s body has not been fully recovered. The FBI continues to offer a $10,000 reward for information, and authorities are still investigating a possible motive for her death.