Family videos of missing Kiely Rodni show her singing, playing instruments with grandpa as search intensifies
TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA: New videos released show missing California teen Kiely Rodni singing and interacting with her grandfather, David Robertson, while playing musical instruments. In one video, Rodni sings with Robertson, enjoying the one-on-one time with her grandfather who shared her love of music. In another video, Rodni does a cover of the song ‘Mama's Opry’ by Iris DeMent. Additionally, she can be seen playing the mandolin in the second video while Robertson is playing the stand-up bass.
It is not known how old Rodni was at the time these videos were shot but she looks younger than her current age of 16. According to friends and relatives, Rodni's life was significantly impacted by music. On August 13, Truckee Regional Park hosted a country music concert in Rodni's honor. Family and friends gathered for a concert to honor the missing teen's love of music. Her former school teacher Jenni Charles told KTVU, “They say a song is twice as loud as a prayer. We’re playing her songs and we’re playing things that we hope she can hear."
RELATED ARTICLES
Kiely Rodni disappearance: Cops get over 200 tips about missing Tahoe girl, 16, as search continues
Where is Kiely Rodni? Police ramp up search for 16-yr-old possibly abducted on way home from party
Happening now: Truckee community gathers to stay hopeful as 16 yo Kiely Rodni has been missing one week. Friends host Kountry for Kiely as music is a big part of her life. #findkielyrodni #kcra #missingteen @kcranews pic.twitter.com/zf2ECqsBWO
— Michelle Bandur KCRA (@MBandurKCRA) August 13, 2022
Meanwhile, after the 16-year-old went missing on August 6 in California after leaving a campground end-of-school party, the heartbroken David Robertson thinks the teenager's Honda SUV may have clues. According to NBC News, he pleaded, "Keep looking for the car, please." It has been just over one week since Kiely Rodni was last seen at a party at Prosser Family Campground near Truckee. The Placer County Sheriff's office provided an update that mentioned the discovery of a potential burial place close to the campground on Friday night, August 12.
The location was reported by a search and rescue team, and Kiely's family was informed. According to The Sun, public information officer for the Placer County Sheriff's Office, Angela Musallam said, "The FBI responded to secure the scene yesterday and was accompanied by the Placer and Nevada county sheriffs’ offices. FBI agents investigated the site through early this morning and recovered the remains of a dog. Let me be clear. We have one team, one mission, and one goal, and that is to find 16-year-old Kiely Rodni."
According to The Sun, Rodni was reportedly spotted wearing a pink and white ‘Odd Future’ sweatshirt in the video footage from the evening of August 5 at the Prosser Family Campground, according to information from authorities. Later that night Rodni borrowed and wore another hoodie at the party with the lines from a Lana Del Ray song scrawled on it that read, "You don’t want to be forgotten, you just want to disappear." Her cellphone was last used at about 12.30 am on August 6 near Prosser Lake, a man-made reservoir that surrounds the campground.
According to ABC News, Lindsey Rodni-Nieman, Rodni's mother, said last week that Rodni texted her late on August 5 to let her know she was leaving the party in 45 minutes and would be going "straight home." The family is now offering a $50,000 reward for Kiely’s return. Meanwhile, anyone with information is asked to call the Placer County Sheriff’s Office’s dedicated tip line at 530-581-6320. Callers can choose to stay anonymous while submitting any information. Those with photos and videos may send them to officials from here.