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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Britney Galindez   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Witness to Lake Ballinger killing turns himself in 10/29/08 • Suspect in teen's death held on $1 million bail 10/28/08 • Man arrested in death of Seattle teen, 2nd man sought 10/28/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, October 23, 2008 Body ID'd as that of Seattle teen By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- On Monday, relatives and friends of a Seattle teenager missing for a week put up posters hoping to learn where she may have gone. The next day, police found her, floating face down in Lake Ballinger, relatives said. Police are saying her death is "highly suspicious" and they are investigating it as a possible homicide. Britney Galindez, 17, was the victim, her stepfather, Daniel Bittick of Bonney Lake, said Wednesday. Police confirmed the girl's death in a conversation with her mother, Bittick said. Relatives and friends on Monday put up signs and contacted the media, looking for the girl. She was last seen around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 headed from the Northgate Transit Center to the Everett area, Bittick said. Witnesses called police about 10:35 a.m. Tuesday reporting that there was a possible mannequin floating in the water near the Lake Ballinger boat ramp. An Edmonds police diver and fire personnel recovered the victim from the water. Investigators believe they have a tentative identification, Mountlake Terrace police Sgt. Doug Hansen said. The death is "highly suspicious," he said. "We're conducting a full-blown homicide investigation," Hansen said. The Snohomish County medical examiner conducted an autopsy Wednesday and is waiting to check dental records before confirming the identity, Hansen said. It's not yet known how long the teen was in the lake. Based on the girl's clothing, police are investigating possible gang connections, Hansen said. The teenager was wearing a gold-colored belt buckle with "13" on it. The number 13 is commonly affiliated with various Hispanic street gangs, including MS-13, a gang that has been active in Snohomish County and is notoriously violent. It's possible the teenager was involved in gangs, Bittick said. Galindez had a street name of "Hyper," a nickname given by friends due to her sometimes frenetic nature, he said. She attended Ingraham High School in Seattle and was planning on taking classes at North Seattle Community College, the stepfather said. Galindez, who would have turned 18 on Friday, has a brother, 14, and sister, 8, as well as several other relatives. Police said they are trying to reach anyone who may have known the victim to find out what may have led to her death. Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call 911 or e-mail investigators at ­crimetips@ci.mlt.wa.us. Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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