Timeline: Body believed to be Lumberton teen Hania Aguilar found
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Saying they "wish they had a different outcome," authorities said Wednesday afternoon that they believe the body found a day earlier is that of Hania Aguilar.
While investigators were following up on leads in the case of the missing 13-year-old, a body was found in Robeson County on Tuesday evening.
The identity of the body has not yet been released. The body is at the state crime lab in Raleigh for identification and an autopsy but Lumberton Police said Wednesday that preliminary information indicates that the body is that of Hania.
Here's what has happened in the case since the girl was abducted on Nov. 5:
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Timeline
Monday, Nov. 5
7 a.m.: A man wearing all black and a yellow bandanna forced Hania into a stolen SUV while she was warming up her family's car to go to school
10 a.m.: Authorities issue an Amber Alert for the missing teen
Tuesday, Nov. 6
An FBI agent reads a message from Aguilar's mother that said, "I just want my daughter back with me. I'm here waiting for you, I love you and only care about you. I don't have anything against whoever did this to you. I just want you back."
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Morning: The FBI offers a $15,000 reward for information leading to Hania's whereabouts
12 p.m.: The FBI released surveillance video of the stolen SUV seen in Lumberton moments after her kidnapping
7:30 p.m.: Lumberton residents hold an emotional vigil for the teen
Thursday, Nov. 8
10 a.m.: Authorities locate the SUV used in the teen's kidnapping. It was found abandoned on Quincey Road
3:30 p.m.: The FBI releases video of a man seen walking near Hania's abduction site
Afternoon: "I don't have words to describe how I feel." Aguilar's mother spoke with ABC11, begging the public to help bring her daughter home
Friday, Nov. 9
Morning: Gov. Roy Cooper announced the state would add $5,000 to the FBI's reward for information that helps find Hania--increasing the total reward to $20,000
Evening: Hania's church community gathers and prays for her safe return
Sunday, Nov. 11
Morning: Investigators search near the girl's home by Rosewood Mobile Home Park and Quincey Drive
FBI emphasizes the need for tips about the identity of a man seen in surveillance video
Monday, Nov. 12
Afternoon: FBI agents said evidence found in the recovered SUV has been sent to the federal agency's crime lab in Quantico, Virginia
Authorities continued to ask for the public's help with any scrap of information that may lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Tuesday, Nov. 13
Afternoon: The FBI announces an increase to the reward for information in Hania Aguilar's disappearance from $15,000 to $25,000. With the $5,000 Gov. Roy Cooper promised from the state, that brings the total to $30,000
Afternoon: FBI thanks Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for checking on reported sighting of Aguilar. The report turned out to be false. Investigators then warn the public against spreading rumors in the case, because those rumors can harm the investigation
Wednesday, Nov. 14
Lumberton Mayor Bruce Davis says he's hopeful police will announce an update soon.
"I'm very hopeful. I'm very hopeful," said Davis. "They've got too many leads not to know something."
Friday, Nov. 16
Search for Hania is featured on the FBI's website as the Most Wanted Case of the Week.
Spanish podcast released by FBI in hopes of bringing in more tips to help the search
Monday, Nov. 19
FBI issues urgent request for surveillance video, expanding the request for surveillance video to any hunter in Robeson County
"We are desperately trying to locate additional footage of the stolen SUV to determine when and how it got to Quincey Drive where it was found on November 8th."
Tuesday, Nov. 20
FBI asks area deer hunters to check their video recording devices
"Let us determine whether or not the footage you have can provide us with any investigative clues," an FBI spokesperson said.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
FBI announces it has investigated nearly 800 leads and conducted more than 400 interviews in the search for Hania Aguilar
Thursday, Nov. 22
Hania Aguilar's family spends Thanksgiving without the 13-year-old
"That's my Thanksgiving prayer," neighbor Patsy Jones said. "I pray that she'll be all right."
Saturday, Nov. 24
FBI releases picture of shoes Aguilar was wearing at the time of her abduction
Tuesday, Nov. 27
4:45 p.m.: Body found off Wire Grass Road in Robeson County. FBI alerts Aguilar's family, saying the body has not been positively identified, but it was found as investigators followed up on leads in the Aguilar case
Wednesday, Nov. 28
3:30 p.m.: Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeil, said authorities believe they have found the body of Hania Aguilar in a body of water off Wire Grass Road. "I wish we had a different outcome for Hania's family," McNeil said at an afternoon news conference.
McNeill said dental records will be used to make positive identification.
Saturday, Dec. 8
The FBI and Lumberton police announce the arrest of Michael Ray McLellan, who had already been in custody for charges stemming from a separate case in November.
McLellan was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree forcible rape, statutory rape of a person under 15 years of age or younger, first-degree sexual offense, statutory sex offense with a person 15 years or younger, first-degree kidnapping, felony larceny, felony restraint, abduction of child and concealment of a death.
On the same day, friends and family gathered at Lumberton High School for Hania's funeral.
Monday, Dec. 12
Michael Ray McLellan is expected to appear in court.
