Gwinnett police say remains are those of missing teen

LAWRENCEVILLE - A 16-year-old Gwinnett County girl, reported to police as a runaway, is dead, her remains discovered two weeks ago near Norcross.

Police have identified remains discovered December 6 as those of Maritza Yepez. The girl was last seen August 23, 2009 and was thought to be a runaway. She had been living with her aunt in Lawrenceville at the time of her disappearance.

The skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area a short distance off Forest Vale Road in an unincorporated area of Norcross. Authorities used dental records to confirm the identity of the teen.

Detectives say they are treating the case as a homicide and are trying now to piece together the last days of Yepez's life.

Anyone with information on the victim is encouraged to contact Gwinnett County Police at 770-513-5300.