California Teen Who Disappeared While Doing School Project Found Dead: Is There Foul Play Involved?

The Placer County Sheriff's Office said that the body of a missing California teen from Colfax High School was discovered Thursday.

The sheriff's office announced in a press release issued soon before 7 p.m. that the remains of Dante de la Torre, 16, were found in an isolated wooded site near the Gold Run rest stop on Interstate 80.

The area where the teen's body was discovered is roughly 60 miles northeast of Sacramento.

SF Gate noted that De la Torre was last seen on Tuesday at the rest area while working on a school assignment, and he was reported missing on Wednesday.

It Is Still Not Clear How the California Teen Dies

According to the sheriff's office, he went to the Gold Run rest stop at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for a school project but did not return.

He had water bottles, a hand towel, a tiny shovel, and snow boots with him, said The Daily Beast. His friend said that de la Torre needs dome dirt for his science project.

The teen had not contacted his family or friends since leaving the rest area, so the sheriff's office dispatched resources to look for him Thursday morning.

The search for the missing California teen involved more than 36 expert searchers and K9s.

"It is with a heavy heart we are updating the community that 16-year-old Dante de la Torre was found deceased this afternoon," said a statement.

According to police, there is no evidence that his death resulted from foul play, but the teen's remains will be sent to the Coroner's Unit for an assessment.

"We offer our condolences to the de la Torre family and Dante's friends during this unbelievably tragic time," said the statement.

A sheriff's office spokesperson detailed the secluded location where the teen was discovered, per People.

Angela Musallam said that the terrain in the area are rough, steep, but it's heavily wooded.

Temperatures were near freezing on Wednesday night, according to sources.

Placer Union District Sends its Statement Following California Teen's Death

The Placer Union High School District issued a statement following the California teen's passing.

The statement said that Colfax High School and the Placer Union High School District are heartbroken to learn of Dante de la Torre's death, as reported by the Placer County Sheriff's Office. The events and details leading up to his death are unknown as the Sheriff's Office continues investigating.

The statement added that dealing with these kinds of tragedies is tough, especially if young people are involved. Chaplains and more counselors from the District Counseling Office will be at Colfax High School to help their students and staff deal with this terrible news, according to ABC10.

"Please join us in keeping Dante's family, friends, and the Colfax community in your thoughts during this difficult time," the statement ended.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Missing California Teen Dante De La Torre Found Dead - From NBC News