Human remains found Tuesday in San Diego, California, are likely those of a teenage girl missing since Thursday, the San Diego County sheriff said.

The remains were found in a shallow grave along a tributary south of a lake in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, authorities said. Searchers have been combing the edge of Lake Hodges for clues into the disappearance of 17-year-old Chelsea King, who often ran along the park's trails.

"There is strong likelihood that we have found Chelsea," Sheriff William Gore said at a news conference.

The last reported sighting of the high school senior was at school Thursday, according to sheriff's department spokeswoman Susan Plese. Her car, with her cell phone inside, was found at the park, Plese said.