New Developments Reignite Investigation After Teen Brutally Murdered, Her Body Dismembered and Left in Little Calumet River

It was a gruesome crime that has gone more than a decade without answers

It has been 11 years since 13-year-old Alexandra Anaya’s body was found dismembered, her torso chained and weighted to the bottom of the Little Calumet River in Chicago.

It was a gruesome crime that has gone more than a decade without answers. 

On Wednesday, Michael Anderson, the special agent in charge of Anaya's case, said recent developments have led authorities to pursue new leads and they're asking for the public's assistance "in one of the most heinous murders involving a child."

"The person responsible for her death took great lengths to cover it up," Anderson said. 

He added authorities "have reason to believe that there are individuals with information pertinent to this investigation, who for whatever reason, have not come forward."

"It's been more than a decade since Alex was murdered, and during that time people and relaitonships have changed," he said. "We are hopefuly that someone will come forward now."

Part of Anaya’s body was first found when boaters floated over a piece of her on Aug. 16, 2005.

It was only later authorities would discover the girl’s head, arms and legs were cut off and her torso left chained and strapped to the bottom of the river. Her head and remaining limbs were never found.

The young teen had disappeared from her family home just days before her body was found. She had been with her mother on the morning of Aug. 13 at their home at 4815 Pine Ave. in Hammond, Indiana. The mother left the house and when she returned, her daughter was gone.

The mother’s former boyfriend was tried in federal court shortly after the girl’s death on charges he stalked the family. He was later acquitted.

Authorities said Wednesday they believe Anaya knew her killer. 

"We believe this was not a random act of violence," Anderson said. 

Chicago's FBI Homicide Initiative Task Force has been called in to re-examine the case "from a fresh perspective and apply new forensic techniques." 

anaya gold medallion

Among some of the latests developments, authorities have resubmitted forensic evidence from a gold chain they believe Anaya was wearing with a circular medallion with the face of Christ on it. 

"This is not a cold case," said Courney Corbett, the lead investigator and one of seven special agents assigned to the task force. "We never stopped working on it." 

Anyone who may have information on the case is being asked to call the FBI Chicago Field Office at (312) 421-6700 or submit tips on the bureau's website

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