Detectives 'Working LONG Hours on this Case'

Authorities haven't announced any major developments in the homicide of Albert Einstein Middle School student , but it's not for a lack of trying.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Department spokesman Dep. Jason Ramos said Monday that authorities spent the weekend working with a criminalist from the district attorney's office. He said homicide detectives "have been working LONG hours on this case, every day for the past seven days."

"Aside from homicide detectives and CSI, numerous other detectives and officers have assisted the investigation with canvassing of the neighborhood and interviews," Ramos said in an email.

Authorities have knocked on doors near the park, questioned students and gone over the crime scene with a fine-tooth comb.

He said he couldn't say exactly how many sheriff's department employees have been investigating the 13-year-old's death, but he put the number at 20-25.

They're still trying to piece together what happened after Jessica left her mother's home on the evening of March 5 and before she was found dead in Rosemont Community Park the next morning. Authorities have asked anyone who may have seen Jessica–she was wearing a distinctive zebra-print sweatshirt with fur lining around the hood when she was last seen–to call the department.

Anyone with information in this case may call 916-874-5115, 916-443-HELP (4357) or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter "SACTIP" followed by the information. The sheriff's department is offering a reward of up to $1,000.

--

Follow Rosemont Patch's ongoing coverage of Jessica Funk-Haslam's death by visiting our topic page here.