HILL CITY ? Authorities have tentatively identified a body found Monday as that of a 15-year-old Hill City girl.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said the body appeared to be that of Esmeralda Gonzales. The death is being investigated as a homicide, although the cause of death has not been determined, said Bruce Mellor, KBI special agent in charge of the investigation.

The body was found Monday afternoon a mile east of Hill City, which is north of WaKeeney in northwest Kansas.

Hill City Police Chief Russ Ingle said Gonzales was dropped off about 9:30 p.m. Saturday outside a residence in the southeast part of town. She last was seen four blocks from her home.

The last homicide in Hill City was that of teacher Linda Leebrick, who was killed April 22, 1976.