Sierra LaMar case: Dive team searches reservoir for body

Investigators searched a reservoir near Morgan Hill, Calif., on Friday looking for the body of teenager Sierra LaMar.

Antolin Garcia-Torres, 21, is accused of kidnapping and killing the girl.

The 15-year-old Sierra, who lived in Morgan Hill, south of San Jose, disappeared on her way to school on the morning of March 16.  Her case sparked considerable attention and prompted a flurry of tips to authorities.

Garcia-Torres was arrested Monday at a Safeway in Morgan Hill.

On Tuesday, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said  detectives had gathered "direct and circumstantial" evidence showing that Garcia-Torres killed Sierra.

A day after the teenager disappeared, her cellphone and a bag of clothing were found. The bag, according to authorities, contained Garcia-Torres' DNA.

“We believe we have probable cause that he committed the kidnapping and murder of Sierra LaMar,” Smith told reporters.

She said the DNA also linked Garcia-Torres to a March 2009 assault in Morgan Hill. In addition, he has a previous conviction for interfering with a police officer and has been arrested on suspicion of felony assault but not prosecuted, authorities said.

According to KCBS, dive teams searched Uvas Reservoir on Friday, but officials said they have no new idea exactly where her body is.

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— Shelby Grad

Photo: Antolin Garcia-Torres. Credit: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department