Investigators, family turn to next steps after body is found
Toxicology, lab results will take weeks
News that the body discovered in the Feather River is that of Alycia Yeoman sparked a profound response from the community, including those closest to the case.
Sutter County Undersheriff
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER AFTER READING Jeff Pierce said the disappearance of Yeoman, 20, hit home for investigators, who have worked around the clock searching for answers.
“I can’t tell you how much the North State put their hearts and souls into this,” Pierce said Wednesday.
An angler’s discovery of a body Sunday afternoon south of the Live Oak Recreational boat
launch ended the 38-day search for the Gridley woman, who was last seen March 30 at a home in the 1800 block of Romero Street in Yuba City.
The FBI served a search warrant on the home nearly a week later, though officials have not revealed what it entailed, citing the ongoing investigation.
Pierce said Wednesday toxicology and lab results from Yeoman’s body will take four to six weeks, and those could play a part in determining the cause and manner of her death. Investigators are also waiting for other evidence, such as Yeoman’s Toyota Tacoma that was found stuck in the mud not far from where her body was found.
He also said that the department is still receiving tips, though they have slowed down in the days since her body was found. Investigators will follow up on each tip received.
Pierce said he wasn’t sure how long Yeoman’s body appeared to have been in the water, and there could be a number of reasons why it wasn’t discovered until now. Fac- tors could include water conditions, searchers’ sonar not picking up on anything, or the body being snagged by something and held below searchers’ view.
Pierce said searchers remained above water on boats with dogs because water conditions were too dangerous for divers.
For now, Pierce said investigators have a lot of work ahead of them.
“It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack,” he said. “That’s where we’re at right now.”
Funds from the “Find Alycia Yeoman” GoFundMe page – originally set up as a reward for information in her disappearance – will now go toward a memorial. Her father Daniel said Wednesday there isn’t a date for one as of yet, and there is no word on whether it will be public.
“Our sweet angel Aly has been returned to us. Sadly, it is the outcome we all feared and prayed would not become our reality,” Melanie Yeoman wrote on the GoFundMe page. “I want to thank all those who have loved, given, prayed and supported us. Our family would now like to use the funds collected here to bring Aly home to her final resting place. We are forever grateful for the kindness of the community, friends and family.”
Nearly 600 Facebook users reacted to the Appeal-Democrat’s breaking news story of the confirmed identification of the body, and many shared their condolences.
“My heart aches for the Yeoman family,” wrote Elvira Ramirez. “Dear God, I pray you give them strength and comfort in their time of need.”
“This is heartbreaking,” wrote Heather Galloway.
And Juli Lawrence summed up the shared emotions of many of those who have followed Yeoman’s disappearance from the beginning.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends,” Lawrence wrote. “I know we have all been touched by this in some way. Very sad.”