A body discovered during a search is likely the missing teenager Chelsea King, law enforcement officials said Tuesday. The body believed to be Chelsea King was found near the southen shore of Lake Hodges at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, according to numerous local sources. “There is a strong likelihood we have found Chelsea,” said Sheriff Bill Gore. There are unconfirmed reports of a knife found near the body.

Chelsea King, 17, has been the subject of an extensive search effort near Lake Hodges since last week. John Albert Gardner III, 30, was arrested Sunday outside an Escondido restaurant-bar on suspicion of murder and rape in connection with the missing girl. Gardner, a registered sex offender who lives in Lake Elsinore, pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2000 on two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child and false imprisonment.

Chelsea was last seen Thursday, Feb. 25. before heading out to run after school. Her car was found at the Rancho Bernardo Glassman Community Park. Her cell phone, iPod and school clothes were found inside the car.

(article from NBC LA)