Authorities have confirmed that a 35-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of 17-year-old Norma Lopez.
Jesse Perez Torres was arrested by Moreno Valley police Thursday in Long Beach on suspicion of murder and kidnapping to commit rape, according to court records. He booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside about 6 p.m. Bail was set at $1 million. He is not listed on the state’s sex offender database.
The family of Norma, who was kidnapped last July while walking home from summer school classes, announced the arrest Thursday night.
Norma’s sister Elizabeth announced the arrest on a Facebook page titled, “Find Norma Lopez.”
“I waited 1 yr and 3 months and my answer that I've been awaiting for was finally answered. I promised this crime wasn't gunna (sic) go unanswered and the fbi didn't fail us...” the post read. “He's been found and he's in jail, we’re going on trial...more info will be on the news tomorrow as there will be a press conference announcing my sister’s killer has been found...”
Norma’s death captured the community and left them in a state of fear and heartbreak. Families struggled with the idea that a child could be kidnapped in broad daylight. Hours after her death, thousands converged at Norma’s high school to mourn and share memories of their stolen classmate.
Norma was abducted July 15, 2010, while walking home from summer school classes at Valley View High School in eastern Moreno Valley.
There were no witnesses to her kidnapping. A green SUV was seen speeding away from the area.
Her body was found in a field five days later, though police had no suspects. Investigators canvassed the city, tracking down thousands of leads and interviewing nearly every registered sex offender in the city.
Investigators have long believed that Norma’s killer was a stranger who abducted her as a crime of opportunity while she was walking home alone. The case triggered new warnings for parents to guard their kids closely and ensure they were supervised at all times.
DNA found on Norma’s body was submitted to the state department of justice database to be checked against any existing or new suspects.
As of the one-year anniversary of the killing, police said there were no hits and every tip had dried up. Police pleaded for a new tip or for someone to come forward.
Authorities have not announced any new developments in the case, but are expected to release information on Friday.
