We are learning more about the death of 14-year-old Dameian 'Luke' Gulley and the arrest of his stepfather.
The body of the 14-year-old Visalia student was found partially buried in Sequoia National Park.
32-year-old Miguel Villegas Pacheco is under arrest, accused of murdering his stepson.
Before he was named as a suspect, a man identifying himself as the stepfather of Dameian Luke Gulley left us a voice mail as police were searching for the Visalia teen.
"If we could get you to run his picture and his stats, get his face out there we'd appreciate it. Any and all leads that have come in have been investigated by Visalia PD and unfortunately we have not been able to find him," the message from Miguel Villegas Pacheco said.
Detectives tell us the voice sounds like Villegas Pacheco, Gulley's stepfather.
Pacheco was arrested Tuesday, five days after Dameian's body was found partially buried in Sequoia National Park.
"Due to the location and the evidence on the body, we knew there was foul play," said Visalia Police Chief Colleen Mestas.
Dameian was a student at Valley Oak Middle School. He had autism.
Wednesday evening his friends and fellow students started a new memorial for Dameian. An earlier one was taken down and given to his family.
"I knew that he was in a better place and God got a better angel to look out for all of us," said his classmate Brittney Beasley.
Classmates say Dameian always had a smile on his face and was a great athlete.
But his home life was difficult. Visalia police say they'd been to the families house at least twice because of problems between Dameian and his stepfather.
"I never knew of any trouble at home and it was so shocking," said classmate Macie Fierro.
And they wonder about Dameian's mother - and what she's endured.
"Why would he let his wife go through all that trouble posting the missing papers, 500 dollars worth, going through all of that. He slept next to her every night. He didn't feel guilty about himself? How could he not come forward and confess," said schoolmate Chanel Aginaga.
School has been on holiday break for Thanksgiving. Grief counselors will be at the school Monday - the first day his friends will sit next to the empty seat that once belonged to Dameian.
The case is now in the hands of the Tulare County district attorney. The D.A. will decide whether to file murder charges.
Services are reportedly set for Dameian. There will be a viewing on Friday from 4-8pm at Millers Chapel. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2pm Sierra Baptist Church at 1437 E Walnut in Visalia.
The body of the 14-year-old Visalia student was found partially buried in Sequoia National Park.
32-year-old Miguel Villegas Pacheco is under arrest, accused of murdering his stepson.
Before he was named as a suspect, a man identifying himself as the stepfather of Dameian Luke Gulley left us a voice mail as police were searching for the Visalia teen.
"If we could get you to run his picture and his stats, get his face out there we'd appreciate it. Any and all leads that have come in have been investigated by Visalia PD and unfortunately we have not been able to find him," the message from Miguel Villegas Pacheco said.
Detectives tell us the voice sounds like Villegas Pacheco, Gulley's stepfather.
Pacheco was arrested Tuesday, five days after Dameian's body was found partially buried in Sequoia National Park.
"Due to the location and the evidence on the body, we knew there was foul play," said Visalia Police Chief Colleen Mestas.
Dameian was a student at Valley Oak Middle School. He had autism.
Wednesday evening his friends and fellow students started a new memorial for Dameian. An earlier one was taken down and given to his family.
"I knew that he was in a better place and God got a better angel to look out for all of us," said his classmate Brittney Beasley.
Classmates say Dameian always had a smile on his face and was a great athlete.
But his home life was difficult. Visalia police say they'd been to the families house at least twice because of problems between Dameian and his stepfather.
"I never knew of any trouble at home and it was so shocking," said classmate Macie Fierro.
And they wonder about Dameian's mother - and what she's endured.
"Why would he let his wife go through all that trouble posting the missing papers, 500 dollars worth, going through all of that. He slept next to her every night. He didn't feel guilty about himself? How could he not come forward and confess," said schoolmate Chanel Aginaga.
School has been on holiday break for Thanksgiving. Grief counselors will be at the school Monday - the first day his friends will sit next to the empty seat that once belonged to Dameian.
The case is now in the hands of the Tulare County district attorney. The D.A. will decide whether to file murder charges.
Services are reportedly set for Dameian. There will be a viewing on Friday from 4-8pm at Millers Chapel. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2pm Sierra Baptist Church at 1437 E Walnut in Visalia.