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Salton City Man Pleads Not Guilty in Teen’s Death After DNA Links Desert Remains

Investigators say bullet fragments in the recovered leg underpin a murder charge now headed to a preliminary hearing.

Overview

  • Authorities say a decomposed leg found Dec. 21 near the Salton Sea was identified on Feb. 6 as 17-year-old T’Neya Tovar through a rapid DNA match to her mother.
  • Abraham Feinbloom, 51, was arrested after trying to flee as deputies served warrants at his Salton City home and was turned over to the FBI before being booked without bail.
  • He is charged with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and resisting a peace officer, has pleaded not guilty, and is due in court Feb. 23 for a preliminary hearing.
  • In court, investigators said bullet fragments were recovered from the leg and believe Tovar was shot, while only partial remains have been located.
  • The multi-agency homicide investigation continues, with an FBI $10,000 reward and public tiplines active, as the family plans a Sunday memorial and voices frustration over the pace of the case.