The body of New Tampa teen Hailey Acierno was found by Tampa police Friday morning in Flatwoods Park, two miles south of her family’s home in Arbor Greene.
Hailey, a 17-year-old junior, had been missing for 10 days since not showing up for school at Wharton on March 28.
“We have found Hailey,” said Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward, somberly. “It’s not the outcome we had hoped for.”
Ward said Hailey was found near a section of the 5,500-acre Flatwoods Park she liked to visit. The park extends from Bruce B. Downs Blvd. all the way to Morris Bridge Rd.
“We believe she took her own life,” Ward said. He did not disclose any other details, but said there was no suspicion of foul play.
Hailey was found by officers on bikes, who were able to get into the wooded areas. Ward said Hailey was not found in an area that was common for pedestrian traffic.
“You could walk that path 100 times and never locate her,” Ward said.
Searchers had launched an extensive effort on Thursday to find Hailey, as Flatwoods Park was shut down and scoured.
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