RIDGE MANOR, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection to the death of a teen girl whose body was found Thursday morning near Cypress Lakes Preserve. Authorities believe she was murdered.

The girl, identified by her family as Abbriella Elliott, was found dead around 9:35 a.m. by a passerby off Ridge Manor Boulevard in Ridge Manor. She had just turned 16 two weeks ago.

Her parents told 10 Tampa Bay that they lived together in a home not far from the preserve where her body was found.

“She was always smiling and singing and acting goofy,” Abbriella’s mom, Danyel Caltagirone, wrote on a GoFundMe page. “She had so much life ahead of her.”

In a press conference on Friday, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said a witness came forward, revealing that the girl left her home in the middle of the night at around 1:30 a.m. to meet someone who “was likely the person who killed her.”

Abbriella’s parents said the teen arrested is their daughter’s ex-boyfriend, adding that they broke up about six to eight months ago.

Nienhuis said Abbriella was likely killed using “an edged weapon” and that multiple interviews led investigators to the 16-year-old suspect.

“We could tell very quickly that here was a lot of passion and a lot of violence involved,” the sheriff said.

10 Tampa Bay is not identifying the boy at this time due to his age. However, officials say he is in the process of being charged with first-degree murder.

The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information to call 352-754-6830 and ask to speak to Detective J. Mitro.

Hernando County Crime Stoppers can also be reached by phone at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or by texting **TIPS. Those who submit a tip via Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000.

Abbriella’s family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for funeral expenses.