Still Missing CA - Aranda Briones, 16, missing after a night out with friends, Moreno Valley, 13 Jan 2019 *arrest*

[Elkravetsky]

To Niner and Seattle1, I have been following this case with you for years. Year after year, continuance after continuance. I’m not sure what it is, maybe it’s because my daughter was around the same age as Aranda, maybe it’s because I was a 16 year old girl years ago. I never forgot about her and always knew to check here once it was time for a possible update, hoping for some way forward. We were all frustrated together wanting justice for Aranda.

I had to register just so I could comment and thank you for never giving up on this case no matter how long it was going to take. The dedication you both showed to a girl you didn’t even know personally. It restores my faith in humanity. There are good people out there.

And now we have a GUILTY verdict and some justice for Aranda and her family. It won’t bring her back, but I truly hope that it provides some sort of relief for the family. Justice was served today and I will never forget where I was when I found out the verdict from today. There is a glimmer of hope in our justice system, no matter how slow it may be.

Thank you again for your unwavering dedication to Aranda Briones. May she rest in peace.

 

[Niner]

Well - this is a good day! Guilty!! Thank you all for posting the articles also!

I am still wondering WHY the prosecutors did not get "where" Aranda is from Gary?? He should know where she is!

 

[Biotchr04]

JFrom the Trial Brief about Aranda having the Owen's gun (because he asked her to hide it), and the school board later voting to expel them from MVHS, do you think Aranda would have ever been allowed to return-- or would she have been required to graduate from the "Continuation School?"

I think that would have been pretty devastating for a 16 yr old -- especially since MVHS is rated an above average public school, and more than 80% of the students liked and supported the school according to a Niche poll.

https://www.niche.com/k12/moreno-valley-high-school-moreno-valley-ca/

You know, I’m not entirely sure. The district doesn’t usually allow a student expelled for weapon possession back into the school they were expelled from. I had it happen almost 20 years ago with a student of mine who had brought his dad’s knife to school to show off to his fellow ROTC cadets. He was a good kid who made a bad decision bringing the blade on campus. He was not allowed to return.

The continuation school isn’t such a bad option. I dropped out my senior year, took my GED and enlisted in the military. I went to a continuation school to finish my last few credits before I left for basic training. Here I am, a whole lotta years later with a masters. I never planned to go to college.

Aranda did have difficulty figuring out who she wanted to be, and was hanging around the wrong people. Owen in particular. Maybe with the right guidance she would have turned it around. We do have several gangs in the area, and Owen liked to throw names around.

A man has been posting your updates to a FB group, which is why I haven’t been on here much. I’m relieved that he was found guilty, and disappointed Court TV didn’t release any other videos from the trial. I would have liked to hear testimony and see evidence presented. Hopefully they will put them together and release as one video like they have for other cases. Thank you so much for all of your updates and interest in Aranda and this case.

 

[Niner]

Friday, August 23rd:
*Felony Settlement Conference Hearing (Drugs) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Aranda Isabel Briones (16) (Last seen Jan. 13, 2019 near the Moreno Valley Community Park at Frederick & Cottonwood, Moreno Valley, not found) – *Owen Skylar Shover (18/now 23) ex-bf arrested for murder (2/11/19), charged (3/15/21) & arraigned (6/25/21) with bringing drugs into jail. Bond $5K. Riverside County
Court info from 2/15/19 thru 7/29/24 reference post #576 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...reno-valley-13-jan-2019-arrest.414244/page-29
7/31/24 Update: Drugs: Felony Settlement Conference hearing on 8/23/24 @ 9am.
Trial for murder – started on 8/6/24 & ended on 8/21/24 with a guilty verdict. Sentencing hearing on 10/25/24 @ 9am.

 

[Seattle1]

A man has been posting your updates to a FB group, which is why I haven’t been on here much. I’m relieved that he was found guilty, and disappointed Court TV didn’t release any other videos from the trial. I would have liked to hear testimony and see evidence presented. Hopefully they will put them together and release as one video like they have for other cases. Thank you so much for all of your updates and interest in Aranda and this case.

Yes, I believe we are all relieved! I'm not on FB but had heard before that a private FB group was primarily copying my updates. I recall the official FB by her Uncles stopped updating after a year. They had to be so devastated by the delayed prosecution.

I believe Aranda had made begun making positive progress in her life-- until that fateful phone call after a long pause in communication with Owen. She was doing well at Moreno Valley continuation school and was tracking to graduate early. She had a job in the mall (food service) and had just been told she'd been slotted for line(?) supervisor. She was saving money and hoped to soon have a down payment to buy a car after family promised to match her savings. No doubt family would have been disappointed to learn of Aranda communicating again with Owen, and I think this is why he collected her at the nearby park at not at home.

As for Court TV, I believe the Court must have limited their access to the opening statements. I'd hoped it would have included closing arguments also. I hope they Motion to record the sentencing and impact statements. Unfortunately, I've not been able to locate the Order but the previous applicable Court Order prohibited any video/audio.

To this date, I still don't understand the lack of local coverage. More specifically, a local reporter attending the trial to report on the testimony. We still don't have any confirmation if Gary testified during the trial against his brother!

MOO

 

[Seattle1]

Man found guilty of killing 16-year-old school mate, hiding body in San Bernardino Mountains

A man was found guilty on Wednesday of first-degree murder after he killed a 16-year-old girl from Morena Valley because she got him expelled from school. He then hid her body somewhere in the San Bernardino Mountains.

www.cbsnews.com

8/21/24

 

[Seattle1]

Man killed former friend and classmate for getting him expelled from high school

In January 2019, the defendant killed Aranda Isabel Briones, 16, and then buried her somewhere in the unforgiving San Bernardino Mountains nearby. To date, the girl's remains have never been found.

lawandcrime.com

8/22/24

On Wednesday, Shover was convicted by a jury of his peers on one count of murder in the first degree, along with a special circumstance of lying in wait. Under Golden State law, special circumstances are essentially sentencing enhancements that, if applied, must result in one of two outcomes: life in prison or the death penalty.

[..]

Due to the death penalty effectively nonexistent in California, he faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced on Oct. 25.

 

[Niner]

rom the jail site. I see the Drug charges were continued. And the next court date is the sentencing. @Sseattle1 any updates in the court site for the drug charges next hearing? Probably after sentencing? TIA!

Next Court Date/ Time Court Name Release Date
10/25/2024 09:00 Riverside Hall Of Justice

Charges
Charge Type Description Bail Disposition Booking Type
187(A) FEL MURDER CONT PC

4573.8 FEL CNTRL SUB IN JAIL 00005000 CONT PC

link: Inmate Information System

 

[Seattle1]

Aug 23, 2024 Law&Crime Sidebar with Jesse Weber

Owen Shover, now 23, was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Aranda Briones, 16, in Moreno Valley, California. Prosecutors say Briones and Shover had been skipping school back in 2017 when a truancy officer approached them. Shover tried to get Briones to hide a gun for him, but Briones told the officer what happened. Both students were expelled from the high school. Law&Crime’s Jesse Weber takes a closer look at the alleged revenge killing with attorney and former FBI agent Bobby Chacon.

 

[Seattle1]

@Sseattle1 any updates in the court site for the drug charges next hearing? Probably after sentencing?

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - All of Defendant's Other Cases

Case Number	Filed Date	Charges	Next Hearing	Jurisdiction	Status
BAF2100340	03/15/2021	PC 4573.8	Felony Settlement Conference 10/25/2024 AT 9:00 AM DEPT. 51	SUPERIOR COURT - RIVERSIDE	Active

Riverside Public Access 5.7.27

 

[Niner]

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - All of Defendant's Other Cases

Case Number	Filed Date	Charges	Next Hearing	Jurisdiction	Status
BAF2100340	03/15/2021	PC 4573.8	Felony Settlement Conference 10/25/2024 AT 9:00 AM DEPT. 51	SUPERIOR COURT - RIVERSIDE	Active

Riverside Public Access 5.7.27

Thank you!

 

[Seattle1]

RivCo man found guilty of killing former schoolmate, hiding her body in the mountains - KESQ

A man who killed a 16-year-old Moreno Valley girl because she got him expelled from school, hiding her body somewhere in the San Bernardino Mountains, was convicted of first-degree murder on Wednesday. After deliberating just over a day, a Riverside jury returned with the verdict against Owen...

kesq.com

Jurors returned with their unanimous decision before the lunch hour Wednesday. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 25 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Shover, who is being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His brother, 27-year-old Gary Anthony Shover of Hesperia, in March admitted being an accessory after the fact under a plea agreement with the District Attorney's Office. He was sentenced to 12 months' felony probation.

 

[Seattle1]

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - All of Defendant's Other Cases

Case Number	Filed Date	Charges	Next Hearing	Jurisdiction	Status
BAF2100340	03/15/2021	PC 4573.8	Felony Settlement Conference 10/25/2024 AT 9:00 AM DEPT. 51	SUPERIOR COURT - RIVERSIDE	Active

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - Actions & Minutes

Action Date	Action Text	Disposition	Hearing Type
01/23/2025 8:00 AM DEPT. RIEXH	CLERK'S CALENDAR - REVIEW EXHIBIT STATUS
10/25/2024 9:00 AM DEPT. 51	REPORT AND SENTENCING	ACTIVE	SENTENCING

Riverside Public Access 5.7.27

 

[Niner]

Friday, October 25th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am PT) – CA – Aranda Isabel Briones (16) (Last seen Jan. 13, 2019 near the Moreno Valley Community Park at Frederick & Cottonwood, Moreno Valley, not found) – *Owen Skylar Shover (18/now 23) ex-bf arrested (2/11/19), charged (2/15/19) & arraigned (3/1/19) & recharged (9/16/22) with 1st degree murder & special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP. Riverside County
Trial with jury selection began on 7/31/24 & continued on 8/5/24. Trial began on 8/6/24 & ended 8/19/24. Jury started deliberations on 8/20/24 & ended 8/21/24 with a guilty verdict.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy J. Hollenhorst. DA Mike Hestrin & Managing Deputy DA Ivy Fitzpatrick. Defense attorney Steve Allen & Leah Kisner.
Court info from 2/15/19 thru 7/29/24 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (7/31 & 8/6/24) & Trial Day 1-8 (8/7-20/24) & Verdict Watch Day 1 (8/20/24) reference post #656 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...reno-valley-13-jan-2019-arrest.414244/page-33
8/21/24 Wednesday, Trial Day 9/Jury Deliberations Day 2: The Riverside jury returned the guilty verdict for Shover after deliberating for just over a day, additionally finding for the special circumstance of laying in wait. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst scheduled a sentencing hearing for 10/25/24 @ 9am, when Shover faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.
10/14/24 Docket update: Clerk's Calendar-Review Exhibit Status hearing on 1/23/25 @ 8am.
*Gary Anthony Shover (21/now 27) – Plead guilty (3/7/24) & sentenced to a year in jail & to serve 12 months probation & pay victim restitution.

ALSO:
*Felony Settlement Conference Hearing (Drugs) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Aranda Isabel Briones (16) (Last seen Jan. 13, 2019 near the Moreno Valley Community Park at Frederick & Cottonwood, Moreno Valley, not found) – *Owen Skylar Shover (18/now 23) ex-bf arrested for murder (2/11/19), charged (3/15/21) & arraigned (6/25/21) with bringing drugs into jail. Bond $5K. Riverside County
Court info from 2/15/19 thru 7/29/24 reference post #576 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...reno-valley-13-jan-2019-arrest.414244/page-29
7/31/24 Update: Drugs: Felony Settlement Conference hearing on 8/23/24 @ 9am. 8/23/24 Update: Next felony settlement hearing on 10/25/24 @ 9am.

 

[Seattle1]

‘Face of pure evil’ who murdered Moreno Valley teen sentenced to life in prison

Aranda Briones, 16, is described as ‘always joyful’ before a judge rebukes Owen Shover and sentences him for 2019 slaying.

www.pressenterprise.com

10/25/24

But Briones’ older brother, Daniel, who considered her his closest friend, said, “She was not without her troubles and questionable decisions, but she was a bright soul. Aranda was filled with unlimited potential that she was only beginning to tap into. “

That was among the tearful tributes from family members on Friday, Oct. 25, before her killer, Owen Skyler Shover, 23, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in state prison after being convicted of murdering his former Moreno Valley High classmate in 2019 and, along with his brother, burying her still-missing body in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin did not seek the death penalty. A conviction on a special circumstances allegation of lying in wait resulted in the life term.

The shocking nature of the slaying that sparked an outpouring of emotion from the community prompted Hestrin to personally prosecute the case and one of the most easygoing Superior Court judges in the county, Timothy J. Hollenhorst, to tear into Shover.

“There are many questions left unanswered, none more than where is Aranda?” Hollenhorst told Shover, whose face barely betrayed emotion during the sentencing hearing at the Riverside County Hall of Justice.

“Mr. Shover, from what I can tell about you, it appears that you are not capable of feeling remorse, so I do not intend to lecture you on how devastating your actions were in this case. However, there is no question in this court’s mind that you are the face of pure evil,” Hollenhorst said.

 

[Seattle1]

Man Sentenced for Killing Former Schoolmate, Whose Body Has Not Been Found

A man who killed a 16-year-old Moreno Valley girl because she got him expelled from school, hiding her body somewhere in the San Bernardino Mountains, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole. A Riverside jury in August deliberated barely a day before convicting...

kesq.com

10/25/24

A man who killed a 16-year-old Moreno Valley girl because she got him expelled from school, hiding her body somewhere in the San Bernardino Mountains, was sentenced today to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A Riverside jury in August deliberated barely a day before convicting 23-year-old Owen Skyler Shover of Hesperia of first-degree murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait for the death of Aranda Briones in 2019.

During a hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Hollenhorst imposed the sentence required by law.

"The victim didn't deserve this. She was just a kid,'' District Attorney Mike Hestrin told City News Service. "She had her whole life ahead of her. This was a tremendous loss -- all because of one person's choice. It's truly heartbreaking."

[..]

"He's a stone-cold killer," Hestrin told CNS. "On the day of his conviction, he spoke to his grandfather from jail, wondering whether he should `get a trophy' for being a convicted murderer. He has shown no remorse."

 

[Niner]

Thanks @Seattle1 - !! I see on the jail site that the drug possession charges were dismissed.

And again THANK YOU for helping me on this case!

RIP Aranda.

 

[Seattle1]

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - Actions & Minutes

Action Date	Action Text	Disposition	Hearing Type
12/31/2050	CASE DESIGNATION: NOT DEATH PENALTY
01/23/2025 8:00 AM DEPT. RIEXH	CLERK'S CALENDAR - REVIEW EXHIBIT STATUS
10/25/2024	EXHIBIT LIST FILED.
10/25/2024	PROBATION OFFICER'S SENTENCING RECOMMENDATION FILED.
10/25/2024	PROHIBITED PERSONS RELINQUISHMENT FORM FINDINGS (CR-210) FILED. HONORABLE JUDGE TIMOTHY J HOLLENHORST.
10/25/2024 9:00 AM DEPT. 51	REPORT AND SENTENCING	DISPOSED	SENTENCING
Minutes
10/23/2024	ORDER ON MEDIA REQUEST TO PERMIT COVERAGE SUBMITTED BY THE PRESS ENTERPRISE FILED. ORDER G-GRANTED JUDGE TIMOTHY J HOLLENHORST
10/23/2024	MEDIA REQUEST TO PHOTOGRAPH, RECORD, OR BROADCAST FILED.
10/22/2024	REPORT AND SENTENCING REPORT RECEIVED FROM PROBATION AND FORWARDED TO DEPARTMENT 51.

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - Charges

Arrest Charges
Count	Charge	Severity	Description	Violation Date	Plea	Status
1	PC 187(A)	F	Murder	01/13/2019	N/A
Filed Charges
Count	Charge	Severity	Description	Violation Date	Plea	Status
1	PC 187(A)	F	Murder	01/13/2019	NOT GUILTY	HTA
	Enhancement		Description		Plea	Status
	PC 190.2(A)(15)		Intentional Murder		DENY	HTA
Infor Charges
Count	Charge	Severity	Description	Violation Date	Plea	Status
1	PC 187(A)	F	Murder	01/13/2019	NOT GUILTY	CONVICTED
	Enhancement		Description		Plea	Status
	PC 190.2(A)(15)		Intentional Murder		DENY	FOUND TRUE

Case RIF1900705 - SHOVER, OWEN SKYLER - All of Defendant's Other Cases

Case Number	Filed Date	Charges	Next Hearing	Jurisdiction	Status
BAF2100340	03/15/2021	PC 4573.8	None Scheduled	SUPERIOR COURT - RIVERSIDE	Pending Adjudication

Riverside Public Access 5.7.27

________________________

@Niner - from the Minute Order, it appears Media Motioned to cover sentencing but without a copy of what was granted in the Order, we don't know the extent. I did see photos from sentencing in the Press Enterprise MSM linked above but haven't seen any audio/video thus far. I know we won't ever forget Aranda.

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851292626596553174