IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa investigators say the discovery of blood of a missing 15-year-old girl has diminished hope of finding her alive. Bill Kietzman of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said Thursday that DNA tests confirm that blood found on the ground around a hog confinement facility where Kathlynn Shepard was taken after being kidnapped belonged to the girl. He says her blood also was found on the tailgate of the suspect’s truck.

Kietzman says the blood was enough to show “that she probably sustained some injuries.” He said the search continues for the teen, but that hopes of finding her alive are now less promising. Investigators say Kathlynn and her 12-year-old friend were kidnapped Monday by Michael Klunder, who later committed suicide. The younger girl was able to escape.