Friday Marks 1-Year Anniversary of Chelsea King Disappearance

It was one year ago Friday that 17-year-old Chelsea King disappeared while jogging on the trails above Rancho Bernardo Community Park.

Later, a frantic search by hundreds of volunteers found her body on the shore of Lake Hodges.

The bright-eyed Chelsea was an avid long-distance runner, a straight-A student with a quirky sense of humor and member of the San Diego Youth Symphony.

Her parents, Brent and Kelly King, marked the anniversary with a statement revealing their love and admiration for Chelsea, who was a senior at Poway High.

"Today, just as we have tried this entire year and will continue to over the course of our lives, we focus on how our joy filled daughter chose to live her life -- with a zest and passion and willingness to make others smile, and a desire to change the world," reads the statement. "Our Angel Forever. We love you Chelsea!''

Chelsea's death, and that of Escondido's Amber Dubois, sparked fury over perceived lax supervision by state officials of the 31-year-old John Albert Gardner III, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager in Rancho Bernardo in 2000 and spent six years in prison. He had a number of contacts with law enforcement officers following his release, but was never returned to custody.

Last September, Chelsea's Law was enacted to require sentences of life without parole for forcible sexual assaults against minors, and calls for lifetime tracking of certain sex offenders and tightens sex offense parole guidelines.

Brent—who now lives near Chicago with Kelly and their son— expressed his commitment to passing versions of Chelsea's Law in the 49 other states.

A spokeswoman for the family said the family is focused on the future and has no plans to mark the one-year anniversary of Chelsea's death. She said they plan to travel to San Diego next week for the "Finish Chelsea's Run'' on March 5 at Balboa Park.

City News Service contributed to this report.