LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — The body of a missing 17-year-old from Lantana was found Wednesday near Loxahatchee, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.
PBSO said detectives were actively investigating the whereabouts of Emmanuel Castaneda at about 2:30 p.m.
That's when the boy's body was located near 120th Avenue and 75th Lane North.
Detectives are treating the case as a homicide.
The sheriff's office said Castaneda was last seen on Saturday.
He was a student at Lake Worth High School.
The teen's mother, Elluvia Francisco, posted to social media on Saturday night that her son went to visit a friend at about 6:30 p.m. but never came back. He was last seen in the Delray Beach area with her white Toyota Camry.
Below is the statement sent Wednesday by the principal of Lake Worth High School to families and staff members:
My dear Lake Worth High Trojan families and Staff,
It is with a heavy heart that I am contacting you this evening to share that we have lost a member of our Trojan family. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has informed the School District that one of our students has passed away.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy, I am not sharing our student's name at this time.
After Winter Break, we will have counselors available on campus for any students and staff who may find comfort in speaking with a professional. In the meantime, anyone wanting to speak with a counselor is encouraged to call 211, which is the Palm Beach County support line. That service is available 24/7.
I have reached out to the student's family to offer our condolences and support.
At Lake Worth High School we are a family that celebrates successes together and grieves our losses together. I am certain that you will keep this family in your thoughts.
Please reach out to me via email if you have any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Elena Villani
