Police on Wednesday identified human remains found by investigators in Nevada County north of Sacramento as Adea Shabani, a 25-year-old aspiring actress who disappeared on Feb. 23 after leaving her Hollywood apartment.

An autopsy was conducted on March 28 at the Placer County Morgue and authorities identified Shabani through tattoos. The exact cause of death was not determined but the case was ruled a homicide, as it appears Shabani sustained blunt force trauma to her head, according to a statement posted by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Toxicology tests are still pending before a final ruling will be made.

LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division Capt. William Hayes said Shabani left Los Angeles on Feb. 23 with 33-year-old Christopher Spotz. The two had an “intimate relationship” and he is the prime suspect in her murder. Spotz shot and killed himself on March 23 after leading police on a pursuit from Hesperia to Corona.

Adea Shabani was last seen in Hollywood on Feb. 23. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

Authorities released a surveillance camera image showing Shabani and Spotz on Feb. 23 in an elevator at her apartment in the 1700 block of North Wilcox Avenue. She is wearing a backpack indicating they were going on a trip. It was the last time Shabani was seen alive, Hayes said.

Shabani’s friends called police a couple of days later after they were unable to reach her, and the LAPD’s Missing Person’s Unit launched an investigation. In the week following her disappearance, Spotz, through an attorney, issued a statement to police saying he and Shabani were driving to his father’s residence in Northern California and they had an argument. Spotz said he dropped Shabani off in Santa Clarita and hadn’t heard from her since, Hayes said.

Police investigated Spotz’s claims and found no corroborating evidence, prompting the LAPD to assign detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Division, who focused their investigation on him. Authorities traveled to Spotz’s father’s residence in Northern California and were unable to find any trace of the missing woman or Spotz. They also searched the Lake of the Woods State Wildlife Area near Nicolaus, California, but did not locate Shabani.

Approximately one week after Shabani’s disappearance, Hayes said Spotz and an unidentified “fiancée” drove to Fort Morgan, Colorado, to visit members of his family. Detectives also went to Colorado to speak with Spotz and examine his 2015 Toyota Tacoma, but were unable to locate him or the vehicle. They left and distributed a bulletin to other law enforcement agencies asking them to search for the Tacoma. San Bernardino County deputies located the vehicle on March 23 and the pursuit ensued culminating in Spotz killing himself.

Hayes said authorities also recently obtained evidence that led them to the Spenceville Wildlife Area in nearby Nevada County. A search was conducted there on March 26 and investigators found the human remains that were identified as the missing woman.

Hayes said more investigation is necessary before police determine Spotz’s role in her death. Police are also looking into whether anyone else may have been involved. More information about the case should be forthcoming soon.

“This is a rather complex investigation,” Hayes added. “We believe the remains were that of Adea Shabani and that Christopher Spotz was somehow involved in the death.”

Shabani, who was originally from Skopje, Macedonia, was enrolled at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Hollywood. She was scheduled to graduate in September.