According to police a massive search operation has led to the discovery of the remains of a Southern California teen who had been missing for more than a year.

Escondido Police Chief Jim Maher said that Escondido, Calif., police and sheriff's detectives made the discovery after following up on a lead in their investigation.

Maher said on Sunday," The discovery was made in the early morning hours Saturday in a very rugged and remote area of Pala."

A newspaper said Maher made the announcement during a brief news conference but declined to answer questions.

Maher further said "Any details, no matter how slight, would be inappropriate to reveal at this time."

The 14 years old Dubois disappeared on Feb. 13, 2009, while walking to Escondido High School.

The discovery of her remains came four days after the body of Chelsea King, 17, was found buried in a shallow grave in the same region of Southern California. She was last seen alive Feb. 25 when she went for a run in a community park but did not return home.

The Union-Tribune said that investigators have been looking into whether John Albert Gardner III -- the suspect in the rape and slaying of King -- had anything to do with Dubois' disappearance.

The newspaper said that Gardner, 30, a convicted sex offender, pleaded innocent Wednesday to one count of murder in the King case. At the time Dubois disappeared, he was living about 2 miles away from the area where she was last seen. (With Input from Agencies)