Body Identified As Missing Teen

The search is on for answers in the death of a Green Country girl. A body found lying in an Oklahoma City street is that of a missing teenager from Schulter in Okmulgee County. Tesla Applegate was found dead about two months ago. Last Saturday would have been her 18th birthday.

News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports a recent tip helped Oklahoma City police determine Applegate's identity. Now, investigators, family and friends hope more information will surface to help them find out what led to her death.

The 17-year-old's body was found in southeast Oklahoma City on June 21st. She died five days later.

"She was found in the middle of the road.  She had significant injuries that ultimately led to her death," said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Gary Knight.

The medical examiner ruled it was blunt trauma to the head. At first, Police thought she had been hit by a car, but they aren't sure.

"Because of the suspicious nature of her injuries which ultimately led to her death, we're working it as a homicide.  We're going to go ahead and investigate it that way until we're told otherwise," said Sgt. Knight.

The girl's mother reported the teen missing August 3rd after Tesla had not called relatives. She told police Applegate had been visiting a friend in Oklahoma City, but her daughter refused to say where she was.

The teen was from Schulter and went to Schulter High School up to her senior year.

"People here in a small community.  It's a close knit community.  So we know everyone that goes to school here and we know everyone that is a member of this community and it's always sad when we hear of people who have moved away and hear of their passing," said Schulter Superintendent Alfred Gaches.

While the investigation is ongoing, people in Schulter who knew Applegate can't believe what happened.

Tanna Lay used to babysit Applegate years ago.

"She was a sweet kid.  Very happy, always wanting to please everybody, always laughing, just fun to be around," said Lay.

A memorial service was held for Applegate in Henryetta. She was buried in Southern Oklahoma between her great grandparents.

Tesla Applegate's mom says she loved music and dancing, and had a funny personality. She says she's confident someone knows what happened to her daughter.

Anyone with information is urged to call Oklahoma City police.