Body Found In Desert Confirmed As That Of Missing Lake Elsinore Woman

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The body of a woman found over the weekend in Yucaipa was confirmed as that of missing Lake Elsinore resident Amy Porter, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed late Monday.

A Feather Alert was issued for the 43-year-old Indigenous woman who was last seen alive at about 2 p.m. Sept. 14 in Lake Elsinore. Wearing a black dress with a yellow sunflower print, Porter — a tribal member of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians — was believed to be on foot, according to authorities.

Her body was found at approximately 9:12 a.m. Sept. 22 after deputies from the Yucaipa Sheriff’s Station responded to a medical aid call in a desert area near Interstate 10 and Wildwood Canyon Road.

Sadly, it was Porter's family who found her. They were searching the area and discovered her remains, according to the sheriff's department. Porter was a mother.

Her cause and manner of death have not been released. The sheriff's department said it is continuing to investigate.

Social media posts from people identifying as family members expressed frustration with the law enforcement investigation. They suspect foul play and believe Porter's death may have involved her ex-boyfriend.

Abc7 reported that two days after she was last seen, Porter was involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Yucaipa and that her ex-boyfriend was also involved in the crash.

Law enforcement has not announced any suspect information.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact San Bernardino County Sheriff's Detective Daniel Berumen, Specialized Investigations Division, at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.