Kiely Rodni missing - live: Lead on ‘burial site’ in Truckee falls flat as search crews find dead dog

Authorities ramped up efforts to find missing teen Kiely Rodni as the search entered its second week.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced plans to bring in more personnel and expand the search area around Prosser Family Campground in Truckee over the weekend amid criticism over the lack of an Amber Alert when Kiely first disappeared.

Kiely was last seen around 12.30am on 6 August near the campground, where she attended an allegedly alcohol-fuelled gathering of more than 200 teens and young adults.

An investigation was launched the next morning after Kiely failed to show up for a hike with friends.

More than 260 personnel have been canvassing the area on the ground and in the air and more than 1,200 tips have been received from the public.

One of those tips fell flat on Saturday when FBI officials checking out a “potential burial site” dug up a dead dog.

Meanwhile, Kiely’s mother Lindsey Rodni-Nieman has continued pleading for information, telling The Independent: “We are desperate for any other teens to come out and share the last pieces of the story that nobody seems to be able to piece together.”

Key Points

• Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party

• Police release picture of Kiely’s jewelry

• Partygoers urged to come forward with any information

• No activity on Kiely Rodni’s cellphone since early hours of Saturday

Hundreds attend ‘Kountry for Kiely’ event

04:00 , Megan Sheets

Hundreds of supporters turned out for a musical event raising awareness about Kiely’s disappearance on Saturday evening.

The event called “Kountry for Kiely” paid tribute to the teen’s love of music, with performers dedicating their songs to her.

It was held at Truckee Regional Park as the search for Kiely entered its second week.

One of the performers was Jenni Charles, Kiely’s longtime music teacher.

“They say song is twice as loud as a prayer,” Ms Charles said on stage, according to KCRA.

“It’s not just people coming together to have a party. It’s because we are connected to her musically and we are playing her songs. We hope she can hear so that she knows we are going to find her soon.”

Recalling how she taught Kiely to play the fiddle when she was just two years old, Ms Charles said: “She was the youngest student I took on because of her determination and the light and how much she enjoyed music.”

GoFundMe to increase reward surpasses $47k

01:00 , Megan Sheets

A GoFundMe campaign for Kiely’s safe return has surpassed $47,000 as of Sunday evening.

The campaign set up by the teen’s friends aims to increase the reward for information surrounding her disappearance.

More than 300 people have donated toward the $150,000 fundraising goal.

The official reward being offered by police is currently set at $50,000.

Everything we know about Kiely’s disappearance

Sunday 14 August 2022 23:00 , Megan Sheets

A desperate search continues for 16-year-old Kiely Rodni, who vanished from a party at a northern California campground on 5 August.

Kiely was last seen around 12.30am on Saturday (6 August) near the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

She is described as white, 5’7” tall, and 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has numerous piercings and jewelry, including a nose ring, and was last seen wearing green Dickies pants and a black tank top.

The FBI, Homeland Security, California Highway Patrol and several other local law enforcement agencies have joined the Placer Sheriff’s Office in the search for Kiley. Hundreds of investigators and K-9 units are searching for Kiely, but no leads have emerged that could possibly indicate what happened to her after the party.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:

Everything we know about 16-year-old Kiely Rodni’s disappearance

Police frustrated at another failed lead

Sunday 14 August 2022 21:00 , Megan Sheets

Another one of the more than 1,200 tips in Kiely’s disappearance fell flat over the weekend as authorities checking out a “potential burial site” dug up a dead dog.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander has more:

Kiely Rodni: FBI search crews dig up ‘potential burial site’ only to find dead dog

Kiely’s friend describes her love of music

Sunday 14 August 2022 19:00 , Megan Sheets

Kiely’s friend, 17-year-old Madelyn Wicks, attended the event on Saturday and spoke of her love of music.

“She was always singing, singing in the car. I know she likes to play the guitar,” Madelyn told KCRA.

She said she is hopeful that the event will send a message to Kiely.

“We feel like, hopefully, this will help draw her here and know from at least wherever she is, she knows we are here,” she said.

‘Song is twice as loud as a prayer’

Sunday 14 August 2022 16:00 , Megan Sheets

One of the performers at Saturday’s event was Jenni Charles, Kiely’s longtime music teacher.

“They say song is twice as loud as a prayer,” Ms Charles said on stage, according to KCRA.

“It’s not just people coming together to have a party. It’s because we are connected to her musically and we are playing her songs. We hope she can hear so that she knows we are going to find her soon.”

Recalling how she taught Kiely to play the fiddle when she was just two years old, Ms Charles said: “She was the youngest student I took on because of her determination and the light and how much she enjoyed music.”

Hundreds attend ‘Kountry for Kiely’ event

Sunday 14 August 2022 14:01 , Megan Sheets

Hundreds of supporters turned out for a musical event raising awareness about Kiely’s disappearance on Saturday evening.

The event called “Kountry for Kiely” paid tribute to the teen’s love of music, with performers dedicating their songs to her.

It was held at Truckee Regional Park as the search for Kiely entered its second week.

Friend recounts final call before Kiely’s disappearance

Sunday 14 August 2022 05:01 , Megan Sheets

A friend of missing teen Kiely Rodni has spoken about the pair’s final phone call before her friend vanished from a campground party in California.

Samantha Smith, 18, told The Independent on Monday she was the last person to speak with 16-year-old Kiely after midnight on Saturday.

“This is the last call anybody had with her. We said ‘love you, good night. Get home safe,’ and that’s the last thing we heard of her,” Samantha said on Monday.

Investigators said they have no information about Kiely’s whereabouts after 12.33am.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:

Exclusive: Friend of missing teen Kiely Rodni recounts last call before she vanished

Kiely’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party

Sunday 14 August 2022 02:00 , Megan Sheets

The mother of Kiely Rodni has revealed that her daughter almost didn’t go to the campground party the night she disappeared as she issued a gut-wrenching plea to local teenagers to help “piece together” what happened.

Lindsey Rodni-Nieman spoke to The Independent on Thursday as the search for her missing 16-year-old daughter entered its fifth day and investigators are no closer to getting answers as to her whereabouts.

She said that Kiely had planned to go to a car show in Reno with her mother on Friday night but texted her during the day to say that she was going to go to a party at the Prosser Family Campground instead.

Ms Rodni-Nieman said she wishes Kiely had never gone to the party that night and had joined her at the car show that night. But she said thinking like that is “not helpful”.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party on night she vanished

RECAP: Everything we know about Kiely’s disappearance

Sunday 14 August 2022 00:00 , Megan Sheets

A desperate search continues for 16-year-old Kiely Rodni, who vanished from a party at a northern California campground on 5 August.

Kiely was last seen around 12.30am on Saturday (6 August) near the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

She is described as white, 5’7” tall, and 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has numerous piercings and jewelry, including a nose ring, and was last seen wearing green Dickies pants and a black tank top.

The FBI, Homeland Security, California Highway Patrol and several other local law enforcement agencies have joined the Placer Sheriff’s Office in the search for Kiley. Hundreds of investigators and K-9 units are searching for Kiely, but no leads have emerged that could possibly indicate what happened to her after the party.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:

Everything we know about 16-year-old Kiely Rodni’s disappearance

Kiely’s best friend says she ‘just wants her back’

Saturday 13 August 2022 22:00 , Megan Sheets

Kiely’s best friend Magdalene Larson has said she “just wants her back” as the search entered its sixth day.

“I just want her to come back and be OK and just to know that she’s loved and that we all looked for her and that we all loved her through this and stuff,” she told KCRA3.

Ms Larson described her best friend as “such a vibrant person” with “so much energy”.

The two best friends met briefly aged nine at an art camp but became close a few years later when their mother’s became friends.

“My parents decided that we’re going to hang out and that I was going to be friends with their daughter and that’s just what happened,” she said.

It was when they went on a three-hour walk together one day that their friendship was cemented and they have been best friends since.

Loved ones using app to track search for Kiely

Saturday 13 August 2022 20:00 , Megan Sheets

Volunteers helping with the search for Kiely have been using an app to track their movements around the heavily-wooded region.

The app called Caltopo allows searchers to map out what ground they’ve covered and share that information with fellow volunteers and law enforcement, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Kiely’s family set up an RV site where volunteers from across the state can convene to join the search.

GoFundMe to increase reward surpasses $40k

Saturday 13 August 2022 18:00 , Megan Sheets

A GoFundMe campaign for Kiely’s safe return has surpassed $40,000 as of Saturday morning.

The campaign set up by the teen’s friends aims to increase the reward for information surrounding her disappearance.

More than 300 people have donated toward the $150,000 fundraising goal.

The official reward being offered by police is currently set at $50,000.

Kiely honoured at fundraising event

Saturday 13 August 2022 16:00 , Megan Sheets

A musical fundraising event in Kiely’s honour is set to take place on Saturday as the search for the teen drags on into its second week.

“Kountry for Kiely” will be held at Truckee Regional Park from 1pm to 4pm.

“In gratitude, we honor and love the support from our amazing teens and community at large that have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one,” a flyer for the event states.

“Team Kiely is strong. Wear white in solidarity. Let’s bring our girl home.”

Search for Kiely expanding over the weekend

Saturday 13 August 2022 13:59 , Megan Sheets

As the search for Kiely Rodni enters its second week, authorities say they are ramping up efforts by expanding the search area and putting more personnel on the ground.

The investigation into Kiely’s disappearance began one week ago on 6 August when her mother realised the teen never returned from the campground party she attended the night before.

Angela Musallam, the public information officer for the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, on Friday said “more searchers” would be brought in over the weekend as authorities “expand” their search around the Prosser Family Campground.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the dedicated tip line at 530-581-6320.

Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party

Saturday 13 August 2022 13:00 , Rachel Sharp

The mother of Kiely Rodni has revealed that her daughter almost didn’t go to the campground party the night she disappeared as she issued a gut-wrenching plea to local teenagers to help “piece together” what happened.

Lindsey Rodni-Nieman spoke to The Independent on Thursday as the search for her missing 16-year-old daughter entered its fifth day and investigators are no closer to getting answers as to her whereabouts.

She said that Kiely had planned to go to a car show in Reno with her mother on Friday night but texted her during the day to say that she was going to go to a party at the Prosser Family Campground instead.

Ms Rodni-Nieman said she wishes Kiely had never gone to the party that night and had joined her at the car show that night. But she said thinking like that is “not helpful”.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party on night she vanished

Boyfriend of Kiely Rodni reveals last messages before she vanished

Saturday 13 August 2022 11:00 , Rachel Sharp

The boyfriend of Kiely Rodni has broken his silence to reveal the last conversation he had with her before she vanished without a trace at a campground party – as the search for the missing teenager now enters its fifth day.

Jagger Westfall texted his 16-year-old girlfriend to tell her to “be safe” and “don’t do anything stupid” on Friday night as she headed to a senior farewell party at the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, California.

“And so I was just like, OK. Be safe. Don’t like, do anything stupid,” he told KTXL.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Kiely Rodni’s boyfriend breaks silence as search enters fifth day for missing teen

Kiely sent last text to her mother at 11.30pm on Friday

Saturday 13 August 2022 09:00 , Rachel Sharp

Kiely Rodni last sent a final text to her mother at 11.30pm on Friday night.

Lindsey Rodni-Nieman told The Independent on Thursday that she last saw her daughter that morning when she came downstairs in their home and mother and daughter chatted about their plans for the day.

They then stayed in contact throughout the day and last spoke at around 11.30pm that night when Kiely texted to say she would be setting off on the 25-30 minute drive home from the party.

“She said she’d be leaving at 12.15 and was going to start heading home,” said Ms Rodni-Nieman.

That was the last time she heard from her daughter.

Fight at party believed to be unconnected to Kiely’s disappearance

Saturday 13 August 2022 07:00 , Rachel Sharp

It has emerged that a fight broke out at the party at Prosser Family Campground on the night of 6 August – but that officials do not believe it is connected to Kiely’s disappearance.

In Thursday’s press conference, Placer County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Josh Barnhart mentioned the fight at the party.

While investigators do not believe it has any connection to Kiely going missing, Lt Barnhart said that people recorded the fight and so investigators want to see the footage to see if it holds any clues.

Teens and young adults who attended the party were urged to send the videos to law enforcement and were also told that – if they are concerned about coming forward with information about the missing persons case – they should go to a person they trust and have them take the information to law enforcement.

This comes as officials have repeatedly urged teens to come forward, reassuring them that they are disinterested in investigating underage drinking and just want to bring Kiely home safe.

Public urged to look out for Kiely’s jewellery

Saturday 13 August 2022 05:00 , Rachel Sharp

Law enforcement officials have urged the public to keep a look out for jewellery that Kiely Rodni is believed to have been wearing when she disappeared.

Authorities shared a recent photo of the 16-year-old wearing a string of gold necklaces. She is believed to have been wearing the same necklaces on 6 August when she went to the campground party.

Anyone who has/may have seen her necklaces is asked to call the tip line at (530) 581-6320 Option 7, or email the tip portal - sheriff_tahoeinvesttips@placer.ca.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

New system launched to upload tips

Saturday 13 August 2022 04:00 , Rachel Sharp

A new system has been launched for members of the public to upload tips about the disappearance of Kiely Rodni.

Law enforcement officials announced on Friday that they have “created a central location for the community to upload tips and help us find Kiely”.

Anyone with information including photos and videos from the party can upload them anonymously at: https://linktr.ee/placersheriff

Friend recounts final call before her disappearance

Saturday 13 August 2022 03:00 , Rachel Sharp

A friend of missing teen Kiely Rodni has spoken about the pair’s final phone call before her friend vanished from a campground party in California.

Samantha Smith, 18, told The Independent on Monday she was the last person to speak with 16-year-old Kiely after midnight on Saturday.

“This is the last call anybody had with her. We said ‘love you, good night. Get home safe,’ and that’s the last thing we heard of her,” Samantha said on Monday.

Investigators said they have no information about Kiely’s whereabouts after 12.33am.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:

Exclusive: Friend of missing teen Kiely Rodni recounts last call before she vanished

Everything we know about the disappearance of Kiely Rodni

Saturday 13 August 2022 02:00 , Rachel Sharp

A desperate search continues for 16-year-old Kiely Rodni, who vanished from a party at a northern California campground on 5 August.

Kiely was last seen around 12.30am on Saturday (6 August) near the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.

She is described as white, 5’7” tall, and 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has numerous piercings and jewelry, including a nose ring, and was last seen wearing green Dickies pants and a black tank top.

The FBI, Homeland Security, California Highway Patrol and several other local law enforcement agencies have joined the Placer Sheriff’s Office in the search for Kiley. Hundreds of investigators and K-9 units are searching for Kiely, but no leads have emerged that could possibly indicate what happened to her after the party.

The Independent’s Andrea Blanco has the full story:

Everything we know about 16-year-old Kiely Rodni’s disappearance

Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party

Saturday 13 August 2022 01:15 , Rachel Sharp

The mother of Kiely Rodni has revealed that her daughter almost didn’t go to the campground party the night she disappeared as she issued a gut-wrenching plea to local teenagers to help “piece together” what happened.

Lindsey Rodni-Nieman spoke to The Independent on Thursday as the search for her missing 16-year-old daughter entered its fifth day and investigators are no closer to getting answers as to her whereabouts.

She said that Kiely had planned to go to a car show in Reno with her mother on Friday night but texted her during the day to say that she was going to go to a party at the Prosser Family Campground instead.

Ms Rodni-Nieman said she wishes Kiely had never gone to the party that night and had joined her at the car show that night. But she said thinking like that is “not helpful”.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Kiely Rodni’s mother reveals she almost didn’t go to camp party on night she vanished

Boyfriend of Kiely Rodni reveals last conversation before she vanished

Saturday 13 August 2022 00:30 , Rachel Sharp

The boyfriend of Kiely Rodni has broken his silence to reveal the last conversation he had with her before she vanished without a trace at a campground party – as the search for the missing teenager now enters its fifth day.

Jagger Westfall texted his 16-year-old girlfriend to tell her to “be safe” and “don’t do anything stupid” on Friday night as she headed to a senior farewell party at the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, California.

“And so I was just like, OK. Be safe. Don’t like, do anything stupid,” he told KTXL.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Kiely Rodni’s boyfriend breaks silence as search enters fifth day for missing teen

Kiely’s best friend says she ‘just wants her back’

Friday 12 August 2022 23:45 , Rachel Sharp

Kiely’s best friend Magdalene Larson has said she “just wants her back” as the search entered its sixth day.

“I just want her to come back and be OK and just to know that she’s loved and that we all looked for her and that we all loved her through this and stuff,” she told KCRA3.

Ms Larson described her best friend as “such a vibrant person” with “so much energy”.

The two best friends met briefly aged nine at an art camp but became close a few years later when their mother’s became friends.

“My parents decided that we’re going to hang out and that I was going to be friends with their daughter and that’s just what happened,” she said.

It was when they went on a three-hour walk together one day that their friendship was cemented and they have been best friends since.

No leads as search enters sixth day

Friday 12 August 2022 23:09 , Andrea Blanco

On Friday, police said they have no new leads in the case despite having assigned 200 personnel on the case and employed 9,000 man-hours in searches.

Placer County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Angela Musullam urged the community to report anything that might help the investigation.

“Tips have not slowed down. They’re pouring in every single hour. Unfortunately, most leads have not panned out and have not been fruitful.

Locals are encouraged to anonymously send tips

Friday 12 August 2022 22:47 , Andrea Blanco

Authorities have created an online portal where the community can anonymously upload pictures and videos that could help in the investigation.

“It is a completely confidential way to receive pictures, videos from the Prosser Family Campground party,” spokesperson Angela Musullam said.

Police is asking anyone who has information to call (530) 581-6320, option 7, or email tips online at sheriff_tahoeinvesttips@placer.ca.gov.

Adults are discouraging teens from coming forward with information about the party, police say

Friday 12 August 2022 22:26 , Andrea Blanco

During a press conference on Friday, The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said it had received reports of adults in the community deterring teenagers from coming forward.

Public information officer Angela Musallam said if those reports proved true, they were actively impeding the investigation.

“Our interest is not arresting, prosecuting, or holding any individuals accountable for any underage drinking or illegal drug that did occur at the Prosser Family Campground,” Ms Musullam said.

“Our sole purpose in this investigation and search is to bring Kiely home to her family.”

Press conference starting soon to provide update on case

Friday 12 August 2022 21:45 , Rachel Sharp

A press conference is being held at 2pm local time (5pm ET) on Friday at the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District in Truckee to provide an update on the case.

A separate community meeting will then be held later at 5.30pm local time in the same location.

Check back for more details.