Calif. mother IDs missing daughter's bracelet

FULLERTON, Calif. (AP) - The mother of a Southern California woman who vanished almost 10 years ago said Saturday a bracelet found on recently unearthed remains belonged to her daughter.

Nancy Ekelund of Fullerton told The Associated Press that she had met with a coroner's investigator and instantly recognized the gold-link bracelet she had given as a present to her daughter Lynsie Ekelund, a 20-year old Fullerton College student who disappeared in 2001.

"I gave it to her when she was 10 years old," Ekelund said. "I still wear the exact same bracelet."

Authorities believe the remains uncovered this week are those of Lynsie Ekelund. Nancy Ekelund said coroner's officials were expected to formally confirm the identity of the body next week.

Christopher McAmis is suspected of strangling her and burying her in a canyon 50 miles north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, where he directed investigators to look, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.

McAmis said he used a tractor to dig a 4-foot grave in the canyon where he had done construction work, officials said.

Lynsie Ekelund vanished after going to San Diego with McAmis and two fellow Fullerton College students on Feb. 17, 2001, authorities said.

McAmis had been considered a person of interest in Ekelund's disappearance but was not arrested until last week. The 31-year-old Fullerton construction worker was charged with murder and remained jailed without bail.