17-Year-Old Was Found Dead 2 Days After Going Out for Night — and Woman Is Charged with Murder

Mar. 16, 2025

Itzel Espinoza.Photo: Gofundme

Itzel Elizabeth

Phoenix police are asking the public’s help in finding a woman wanted in connection with the death of a 17-year-old found dead inside her vehicle, according tothe department’s Facebook page.

In a news release, police said a 911 caller reported seeing a female in the vehicle and observed that it appeared she’d been shot. First responders declared Itzel dead at the scene.

Itzel’s father, Eduardo Espinoza, said that he and his wife reported the teen missing to police when she did not return home after going out with friends, reportsAZFamily.com. Two days later, she was found dead.

He said the rising high school senior recently had been spending time with friends who did not have her parents' approval.

Lindsey Brianna Aguilar.Phoenix Police Department

Lindsey Brianna Aguilar

Itzel aspired to be a model and social media influencer, her father told the outlet, while he emphasized her academic studies.

She was “a character, she was funny,” he said. “She was good people to be around.”

Jesus Padilla.MCSO

Jesus Padilla

A 16-year-old boy was also arrested, and charged with abandonment of a body, the station reported. He was booked into a juvenile detention center and has not been publicly identified because he is a minor.

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Itzel’s father was updated on the case, and he told the station he’s confident the people who shot his daughter will be brought to justice.

“Pretty much one thing I will say is God is great, and they will pay for it, you know?” Espinoza told the station.

It was not immediately clear if either of the suspects had entered pleas to the charges against them, or if they had attorneys to comment for them.

Anyone with information about the case or Lindsey Aguilar should call the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151.

source: people.com