Expectant teen's body found in dumpster; Police identify Mishawaka High football player as primary suspect

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- What started as a call to Mishawaka police about a missing teen Saturday night ended in tragedy Sunday morning.

“The preliminary charge determined by the officer in the investigation is murder,” said Chris Fronk, St. Joseph County Deputy Prosecutor.

Seventeen-year-old Breana Rouhselang’s body was discovered in a dumpster behind a Mishawaka restaurant. Investigators said she lived less than 10 blocks from where she was found.

Her cause of death has yet to be released by officials but, investigators acknowledged she was either shot or stabbed.

“Upon [police] arrival they found evidence of a possible violent crime,” Assistant Metro Homicide Commander Lt. Alex Arandt said.

Many neighbors said they saw police canvassing the alley behind their houses for evidence as well as the removal of Rouhselang’s body from the dumpster.

“It was rough; you don’t see that every day,” Paul Magira, a neighbor, said. He’s lived in the neighborhood for 20 years.

Residents in the area have had their backyards searched all day --- an alley leading to the dumpster photographed, searched and taped off.

“The side is taped off by my porch and it goes from the back of my garage to my neighbors garage,” Magira described the scene in his backyard.

Police have arrested 16-year-old Aaron Trejo in connection with Breana’s murder. They say he knew Breana from the Mishawaka High School football team.

“It was learned that these individuals knew each other from the football team at Mishawaka High School,” Arandt said.

He’s listed as player #26 on Mishawaka High’s football team roster. The family of Breana says she was the manager for the football team this year.

“It was a location of opportunity to try to hide the victim,” Arandt said.

Neighbors in the area are shocked, but right now, they are thinking of Breana’s family.

“A lot of people were back there and I did see them put a body in the van and like I said I feel terrible for the family,” Patty Lubelski, a neighbor, said.

“It was one of them things you know I didn’t think it would happen around here,” Magira said.

Police said Trejo is expected to be officially charged with murder, as an adult, Monday morning. An autopsy for Rouhselang will likely take place Monday as well.