Kiera Lanae Bergman: 19-Year Arizona Teen Reported Missing, Found Dead

Kiera Lanae Bergman, 19, was reported missing on August 4, 2018. Her body was found about a month later on September 4, 2018 just west of Arizona. Police are recommending that her new boyfriend face murder charges.

Kiera Lanae Bergman had recently moved from East San Diego County to Arizona with her cousin. She was looking for a fresh start, including taking up with a new boyfriend in her new state.

Friends said that Kiera and her new man often fought though. And then the worst happened. The teen went missing on August 4, 2018. For nearly a month, her friends, family and authorities in Phoenix, Arizona searched furiously for the 19-year-old.

Kiera's family says that despite the intense search, her new boyfriend was not as involved in the search as they would like.

Then, on September 3, 2018 her body was found just west of Phoenix about 50 miles from her home, officials told local media.

Since then speculation has mounted as to what really happened to Kiera. Law enforcement are looking to hold her boyfriend, Jon-Christopher Clark, 23, responsible for her death.

Clark, who was already in police custody no unrelated felony charges, is facing new charges relating to Kiera's death, including improper removal of a body and evidence tampering along with the murder count, according to the Arizona Republic.

The police are recommending that the district attorney file first-degree murder charges.

He remains in the Maricopa County Jail with a $1 million bond. His next court date was set for Sept. 18.

Kiera's body was discovered last week near an intersection of a state highway in what is called the West Valley.

About two weeks after the victim disappeared, police questioned Clark, who was the last person to see Kiera alive. He has admitted that the two had an argument that day, but that she left his apartment.

Clark has since gone to the media to claim his innocence: "I had nothing to do with anything that's going on," Clark told The Republic." I love Kiera with all my heart, I want Kiera to come home."

At a vigil held days later, the parents of Kiera asked Clark not to come. Speaking to the media, her father had harsh words for his daughter's former boyfriend. 

"We hope if Jon is guilty he is convicted and he rots in hell," said Chris Bragg reportedly said in written statement to the Arizona Republic.

"I don't think I'm going to have closure until I see him die," Kiera's dad told a TV station.