Human remains discovered at Palomar Mountain State Park are not believed to be those of Angelica Brophy, a California emergency room nurse who vanished more than a month ago, authorities announced.
The body was found by a volunteer search team on Wednesday near the South Grade Road in Pauma Valley. San Diego County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Juan Marquez stated that there is "likely no connection" between the discovered remains and Brophy's disappearance. The Sheriff's office has been in contact with Brophy's family.
It remains unclear how long the remains had been in the area, and a cause of death is yet to be determined as an investigation is ongoing.
Brophy, 44, was last seen on July 6 when she entered Palomar Mountain State Park. She was reported missing after failing to show up for her night shift at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Marcos. A friend and co-worker noted that Brophy's husband began contacting the hospital when she did not arrive for her shift, which raised the alarm.
Oceanside Police Department received the missing person report later that day. The search for Brophy has largely concentrated on Palomar Mountain State Park, where her vehicle was found. Relatives indicated that she frequently hiked in the area.
Security footage shows Brophy leaving Harrah's Resort Southern California Casino at approximately 3:30 p.m. on July 6. A parking ticket later placed her at the state park about 50 minutes after that sighting. After she did not return home or collect her daughter from camp, her husband contacted her brother and subsequently the police.
Her family has been distributing missing person posters throughout North County in an effort to garner information. Friends and family have also organized grassroots search efforts in the area. Brophy was last seen wearing black leggings and a gray T-shirt.
Friends and family have described Brophy as a loving mother with a vibrant personality. Her sister-in-law, Lisa Fabregas, told NBC San Diego that Brophy "loves life" and is a "wonderful, thoughtful woman" and a "very good mom." One of her brothers, Manny Fabregas, expressed the family's state of limbo, stating, "We're all in a state of limbo right now and it's hard to move on without any leads." Another brother, Martin Fabregas, urged positivity and strength during the search.
Community members held a vigil in San Marcos on Wednesday evening, praying for Brophy's safe return. Anyone with information regarding Brophy's whereabouts is urged to contact Oceanside Police Detective Ryan Malone at 760-435-4537 or the Anonymous Tip Line at 760-435-4730.