Community Corner

UPDATE: Missing Murrieta Girl Found Safe

Alexandria Noel "Lexi" Canestrelli left her Murrieta home Oct. 21.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Nov. 3:

Murrieta police confirmed that Alexandria "Lexi" Canestrelli, a 16-year-old Murrieta girl out of contact with her family for almost two weeks, was safe at home.

"She returned on her own at about midnight," said Murrieta police Sgt. Robert Anderson, in an email to Patch.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officers went to the family home to confirm she had returned.

"She said she had been staying in the Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar areas and was OK--not a victim of any crimes," the sergeant said.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The family could not immediately be reached Thursday morning for comment.

UPDATE 12:27 a.m. Nov. 3:

Alexandria "Lexi" Canestrelli was found and is safe, according to her mother. No details were immediately available.

ORIGINAL POST:

A candlelight prayer vigil is planned Thursday in San Diego as family and friends hope for the best in the case of a missing 16-year-old Murrieta girl.

Alexandria Noel "Lexi" Canestrelli left her Murrieta home Oct. 21 and has not been in contact with family since, according to her mother, Kristen Canestrelli.

The vigil begins at 7 p.m. at Maranatha Chapel, 10752 Coastwood Road, San Diego.

Kristen, who used to work as a preschool teacher at Maranatha, said many of her friends there have expressed concern about Lexi's whereabouts.

Melissa Van Dyken, a family friend who attends Maranatha, said the church offered the use of its facilities for the vigil.

"We have just been encouraging her and offering our support," Van Dyken said. "They say there is a chance she is in San Diego so we are trying to help get the word out around here.

"As a mother, I can't imagine going through this."

Friends have told Kristen that Lexi may have been communicating with an adult male through a San Diego Craig's List ad.

Lexi is described as 5 feet 3 inches, 125 pounds with blondish brown hair and blue eyes. She often wears her hair in a ponytail or bun, her mother said.

Lexi is listed as an endangered runaway on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children registry.

and other agencies has been underway since her disappearance.

Though police said Lexi has run away before for four hours, Kristen said it is unlike her daughter to be gone this long and not be in contact with her family.

"She has never been gone overnight," Kristen said. "When it comes to hot or cold weather, she doesn't do well, and she is afraid of the dark. Hopefully, she is OK."

Kristen said her heart skips a beat each time the phone rings, as she hopes for news about her daughter. She also said Lexi has not called her cousin, who she is very close to and would call or text at least once a day.

"I'm hoping somehow, if she is able, she will call from a payphone or text. She knows our numbers."

Family and volunteers have been canvassing the Murrieta and San Diego areas with fliers, as well as searching both places.

Police are in possession of Lexi's laptop and cellphone, which she left behind, according to her mother.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Murrieta Police Department at 951-696-3615 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).

Thursday's vigil will include a time of music and prayer, and ribbons will be handed out to help remind people to be on the lookout for Lexi, Van Dyken said.


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