WENDOVER — A senior at West Wendover High School who reportedly once dated 16-year-old Micaela "Mickey" Costanzo was arrested for investigation of homicide in connection with the girl's death

Kody Cree Patten, 18, was arrested for investigation of open homicide, according to the Elko County, Nev., Sheriff's Office. Patten was being held Monday in the Elko County Jail on no bail.

Candlelight vigil held to honor Costanzo

On Monday night, mourners filled the high school's gymnasium to hold a vigil for Costanzo. Memories were shared, tears were shed and words of comfort were spoken to her family.

"I really feel sad for the family," said Juana Legorreta. "I have kids of my own and I wouldn't want anything like that to happen to my daughter."

Larry and Olive Dickey don't know the Costanzo family, but they came to show their support.

"It's a tragic loss for our community," Olive said. "I work at the other elementary school in town and the kids are hurt on the side in Utah also."

Patten's arrest

During a brief press conference Monday afternoon that lasted less than four minutes, police called the investigation into the crime "very forward moving and active," but declined to answer any questions about her cause of death, how Patten was caught or what Patten's relationship with Micaela might have been and when the last time he may have seen her.

A spokeswoman for Micaela's family said Monday the family would no longer be able to say anything about the case, referring all questions instead to police.

A vice principal at the school said the student was arrested about 2:30 a.m. Monday, less than 24 hours after police confirmed the body found in a shallow grave in a remote area outside of West Wendover on Saturday was Micaela's.

West Wendover High Vice Principal Criag Kyllonen said Patten and Micaela did know each other, and possibly had dated at one time.

"They were friends. We do know that they had a past relationship where they did date each other at one point," he said.

Patten was in school on Friday and reportedly attended a vigil for Micaela over the weekend.

School officials said Patten had dreams of joining the military after high school and they were trying to help him fulfill those dreams. Patten's Facebook page has a military graphic for his profile picture. He has very few posts on his Facebook wall. He talks about getting a tattoo in January.

On Jan. 9 Patten wrote, "I sit here the rain hitting my hand, as if God were showing every tar i (sic) have cried and the lightning showing my pain, i shault (sic) not tremble in the fear of danger... KCP."

His last post was eight days later in which Patten said, "i cant (sic) freakin believe this (expletive). i try my freakin hardest and you blow it out the (expletive) window like it dont mean (expletive)."

Death shakes "tight knit" school

There are fewer than 300 students in grades 9-12 at the high school. Kyllonen said the entire student body and teachers were taking all the events from the weekend very hard.

"They're extremely tight knit. There are students throughout the school who are upset," he said. "They're tired. Emotionally, they're spent."

"Everyone loved her. She'll always be with us no matter what," one student said.

"She was absolutely beautiful in every single way," said another.

While most students were in tears and grieving their friend's loss, some were angered, saying they couldn't understand why it happened.

In an e-mail to KSL News, one girl said she knew both Micaela and Patten, and remembers him from the fourth grade.

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"He seemed so sweet, lovable. I would never of thought this sweet boy I once knew that would do this. I'm sad for both families," she said. "I cannot believe the little boy I knew in fourth grade would do this. He use to tell me he wanted to be a fireman and so many things he wanted. Breaks my heart."

Students at West Wendover High were supposed to take state proficiency tests Monday, required for graduation. Those tests were suspended, however, and the school was going to ask the district if several events could be rescheduled this week to accommodate the grieving student body.

Micaela was a member of both the track and girl's basketball teams. Basketball season is over, but the track team was scheduled to participate in a practice meet in Idaho later this week. That meet has been suspended, Kyllonen said. A meet scheduled for Saturday is expected to proceed as scheduled.

"The one thing you see throughout the school is not only students are grieving, but teachers as well," he said. "Knowing Micaela made you a better person than you would have been. She was the type of person you would want other kids to emulate."

Grief counselors from surrounding schools were at West Wendover High Monday. The school planned to break students into small groups and have them meet with counselors. Counselors were also made available for anyone who needed one-on-one time.

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Story written by Pat Reavy, with contributions from Sam Penrod.

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