GRANDVIEW, MO (KCTV) -
Bounty hunters found a teen girl dead inside a Grandview motel Wednesday.
Authorities tell KCTV5 that the death is considered suspicious and that the girl was 16 years old.
Her parents identified the girl as Amber Dawn Cannon, 16. They told KCTV5 on Thursday that they are still waiting to find out how their daughter died, but believe a potent drug is to blame.
"She was sweet, loving, always there for her family when we needed her," Sonya Strawn said about her daughter. But she knew something wasn't right the last time she saw her daughter and Cannon had indicated in recent days to a family member that she was experimenting with a drug called "blueberry."
"Blueberry" is similar to valium, said Shannon Taylor, Cannon's father.
Cannon was found dead inside a first-floor room at the Rodeway Inn, 15201 S. 71 Highway. Law enforcement sources tell KCTV5 that bounty hunters made the discovery about at 11 a.m. Wednesday while looking for one of Cannon's friends.
Detectives are investigating the death. Crime scene technicians gathered at least 10 bags of evidence.
"When I got home from work, I saw a lot of cops and crime scene investigation," Joe Gonzales said.
Cannon and some friends had checked into the motel so that they could hang out and enjoy the motel's pool. Cannon texted her aunt Tuesday night saying she would be home in about an hour. Around 12:45 a.m. she texted again saying, "I really think I need to come home." The aunt said she should, but never heard from her again.
The bounty hunter tried to revive Cannon when he found her but she had already turned purple. Cannon's parents say her friends made a tragic mistake by not calling for help.
"Notify somebody. I don't care if you get in trouble or not. I'd rather they be in trouble than (her) dead and leaving questions, doubts about what really happened to her."
Cannon is survived by her husband who she married in March when she turned 16. Her husband is stationed in Italy and is returning to the Kansas City area to help plan her funeral.
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