Orange police are probing the discovery of a body found in a remote area of Orange County, authorities said Thursday night.
A body was discovered about 7 p.m. Thursday near Santiago Canyon and Jackson Ranch roads near unincorporated Mojeska Canyon (map), police said in a 10:45 p.m. news release.
Investigators stressed that while Orange police are on scene, no definite connection has been made between the May 3 disappearance of Maribel Ramos and the body. Ramos is a Cal State Fullerton student and military veteran.
"No matter what the results are we want to keep the pressure on," said Ramos cousin Arturo Romero. "If there is someone who did this to our family member, we want to have him caught right away."
The body was discovered after someone reported a foul odor in the area. It had not yet been identified late Thursday.
Ramos, 36, was last seen on surveillance video dropping off her rent check about 8:30 p.m. May 2 in Orange, Orange police Lt. Dave Hill said.