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Photos: Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez
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Top Story

Photos: Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

  • Rick Wiley
  • Feb 10, 2023
  • Feb 10, 2023 Updated Feb 6, 2024

Six-year-old Isabel Celis disappeared from her Tucson home in 2012. Maribel Gonzalez, 13, disappeared in 2014.

Christopher Matthew Clements was indicted on Sept. 14, 2018, in connection with murders of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez. He was convicted in connection with the murder of Gonzalez.

Tucson MIssing Girls

Maribel Gonzalez, 13, left, went missing in 2014. Isabel Celis, 6, disappeared from her home in 2012.

Family photos
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Deputy Pima County Attorney Jonathan Mosher, left, at the arraignment for Christopher Clements in Pima County Superior Court in Tucson on Sept. 25, 2018.

Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus, Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall and Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier at a press conference in Tucson on Sept. 15, 2018. to announce the indictment of Christopher Matthew Clements in connection with the deaths of Isabel Cells and Maribel Gonzalez.

Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Mourners release pink and purple balloons in a farewell gesture after the memorial ceremony for Isabel Celis at St. Augustine Cathedral, Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Tara Morgan helps keep the dozens of candles lit being laid in makeshift temporary shrine at the candlelight vigil for Isabel Celis at the Valdez Main Library on April 5, 2017.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Photos of murder victim Maribel Gonzalez on display during a press conference held by Homicide Survivors, Inc. on April 12, 2016.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Abrian Gonzalez, father of Maribel Victoria Gonzalez (background photo), talks about his daughter while at Homicide Survivors in June, 2014. She was reported missing June 3 and listed as a runaway on June 4. Maribel Gonzalez, 13, was found dead in early June in Avra Valley near Trico and Avra Valley Roads.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

In this 2014 photo, Tucson Police officers Felix Olivas and Michael Szelewski examine paperwork during a canvas of the area of East 12th Street and South Van Buren Ave. during the investigation into the disappearance of Isabel Celis on April 20, 2012.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Becky Celis holds back tears as she speaks to reporters at the Christian Faith Fellowship church at 5601 E. Broadway, where volunteers set up the "Isabel Celis Faith and Hope Center" for volunteers to aid in the search of daughter Isabel Celis in July, 2012.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Christian Faith Fellowship pastor David Dahlberg greets Becky Celis in July, 2012. The church helped to set up the "Isabel Celis Faith and Hope Center" for volunteers to aid in the search.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Volunteers create door hangers that have information to help them find missing girl, Isabel Celis, at a command post at Abbie Loveland Tuller School on June 1, 2012. The board behind them has information such as important phone numbers, new ideas and future events in order to keep the missing girl's name in the public's conscience.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Becky Celis, left, the mother of the missing girl Isabel Celis, and volunteer Eli Hawley discuss possible ideas for making buttons using some of the purple ribbons at the new command post at Abbie Loveland Tuller School on June 1, 2012.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Tucson Medical Center emergency worker Janel Sanchez, left, looks for Spanish language flyers on May 9, 2012, for Tanya Poleviyuma to take into Mexico for an upcoming trip. TMC workers like Sanchez have been manning a make-shift tent to help raise money for the missing Isabel Celis, 6, who has been missing since April 21st, at the shopping center parking lot at South Craycroft and East Broadway.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Becky and Sergio Celis pray during a the concert at Catalina United Methodist Church on May 6, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

The image of Isabel, 6, on the back of her father's shirt as he gets a hug after the parents' first public appearance at a volunteer center close to their home on April 25, 2012. Sergio and Becky Celis made a plea for the return of their daughter.

A.E. Araiza/ Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Becky Celis pauses as she asks for the return of her daughter Isabel, 6, as her husband Sergio stands next to her at a volunteer center close to their home on April 25, 2012. Their daughter was reported missing from her midtown Tucson home last Saturday morning. The Tucson Police Department, as well as other agencies, have searched a three-mile radius around her home. During the search they have made contact with nearly everyone in the area including 17 registered sex offenders.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Members of the Diamondbacks little league team release their balloons during a vigil at Freedom Park for Isabel Celis, the six-year-old girl reported missing since Saturday morning on April 24, 2012. Celis played on the Diamondbacks team. They had a vigil after their game that included prayers, singing, tying purple ribbons near the dugout and releasing purple balloons into the air.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

The Diamondbacks, a coach-pitch baseball team, stand in a moment of silence after their game at Freedom Park for Isabel Celis, the six-year-old girl reported missing, April 24, 2012.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

People placing their candles at the bottom of a large poster of Isabel near the end of the candlelight vigil in the parking lot near the police command post near Craycroft and Broadway in honor of Isabel Celis on April 22, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Children and parents light and hold candles at the candlelight vigil in the parking lot near the police command post near Craycroft and Broadway in honor of missing Isabel Celis on April 22, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Children and parents light and hold candles at the candlelight vigil in the parking lot near the police command post near Craycroft and Broadway in honor of missing Isabel Celis on April 22, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Tucson Police officers search the Los Reales landfill as part of the search for 6 year-old Isabel Celis on April 23, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Nadine Karsevar, a canine dog trainer heads out to search for Isabel Celis near the police command post at Craycroft and Broadway on April 22, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Disappearance of Isabel Celis and Maribel Gonzalez

Holly Salgado and Tara Alexander stand near a truck with a picture of Isabel Celis near the police command post near Craycroft and Broadway on April 22, 2012.

Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Rick Wiley

Rick Wiley

Photo editor

Related to this collection

Trial set to begin for man accused in killing of Isabel Celis

Trial set to begin for man accused in killing of Isabel Celis

Already convicted in the murder of 13-year-old Maribel Gonzalez, Christopher Clements to face trial in the killing of the 6-year-old girl taken from her midtown Tucson home.

Defense attorney tries to blame father of slain Isabel Celis, 6

Defense attorney tries to blame father of slain Isabel Celis, 6

Trial begins for Christopher M. Clement, charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in Tucson girl's 2012 abduction and killing.

What to know before week two of Christopher Clements trial

What to know before week two of Christopher Clements trial

Christopher Matthew Clements, 41, is on trial on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder and burglary in the death of 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

Tucson jury fails to reach verdict in murder case of Isabel Celis, 6

Tucson jury fails to reach verdict in murder case of Isabel Celis, 6

A judge declared a mistrial Friday afternoon in Christopher Clements' trial on a first-degree murder charge in the child's 2012 death.

Prosecutor: New trial, new jury ahead in slaying of Tucson child

Prosecutor: New trial, new jury ahead in slaying of Tucson child

Pima County Attorney Laura Conover responded to Friday's mistrial in case against Christopher Clements, charged with killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

Fiscal: Habrá nuevo juicio con nuevo jurado en el caso del asesinato de Isabel Celis

Fiscal: Habrá nuevo juicio con nuevo jurado en el caso del asesinato de Isabel Celis

La fiscal del Condado Pima, Laura Conover, respondió así al juicio declarado nulo del 3 de marzo en el caso contra Christopher Clements, acusado de matar a Isabel Celis, de 6 años.

Retrial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis set to begin

Retrial of man accused of killing Isabel Celis set to begin

Testimony in the second trial for convicted killer Christopher Clements in the murder of the 6-year-old Tucson girl is set open Tuesday morning. His first trial ended in a mistrial.

Dad defends himself in Tucson trial of young daughter's alleged killer

Dad defends himself in Tucson trial of young daughter's alleged killer

Christopher M. Clements faces charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder in the 2012 killing of then 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

Isabel Celis' family testifies at trial of man accused in her death

Isabel Celis' family testifies at trial of man accused in her death

The family members became emotional as they told jurors about the 6-year-old Tucson girl's disappearance.

Christopher M. Clements, 41, is facing charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder and burglary in the 2012 killing of 6-year-old Isabel Celis.

What to know before week two of the Christopher Clements trial

What to know before week two of the Christopher Clements trial

Christopher Clements is accused of kidnapping and killing 6-year-old Isabel Celis in 2012. His monthlong trial started on February 14. Catch u…

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