Aranda Briones, a 16-year-old girl from Moreno Valley, California, was last seen on January 13, 2019, at Moreno Valley Community Park. She had been visiting with friends and relatives when she disappeared. Following her disappearance, a weeks-long investigation led to the arrest of two brothers, Owen Skyler Shover and Gary Anthony Shover, who were identified as suspects in her case. Owen Shover, a friend of Briones from Moreno Valley High School, was the last person to have seen her alive.
He initially claimed to have dropped her off at the park, where she was supposedly picked up by someone in a four-door sedan. However, surveillance footage contradicted his story, leading investigators to focus on him and his brother.
The investigation revealed that Owen Shover had a motive for harming Briones. In the fall of 2017, both Briones and Shover were expelled from Moreno Valley High School after Briones disclosed to school authorities that Shover had been in possession of a handgun. This incident led to Shover's expulsion and relocation to his father's residence in Hesperia. Shover harbored resentment towards Briones, perceiving her actions as a betrayal. In the months leading up to her disappearance, Shover attempted to purchase a firearm through various social media platforms.
On March 1, 2019, the brothers were taken into custody without incident. During the investigation, evidence was collected from their residence, including clothing and blankets, which confirmed that Briones had been the victim of a homicide. Despite extensive searches, her body was never found, but it is believed to have been hidden somewhere in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Owen Skyler Shover was charged with first-degree murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait. In August 2024, a Riverside jury convicted him of these charges, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His brother, Gary Anthony Shover, initially faced charges of first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to one year in county jail and 12 months of probation.
The case of Aranda Briones highlights the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts and the lengths to which individuals may go to seek revenge. Despite the conviction of her killers, the absence of her body continues to leave a void for her family and loved ones. The investigation and subsequent trial brought some measure of justice, but the loss of a young life remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence and betrayal.
