Family of missing San Francisco girl offer $10,000 reward

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The family of a mother who was found dead at a San Francisco park hopes new evidence could lead them to her killer and missing daughter.

On Saturday night, people gathered at McLaren Park in San Francisco where the body of Nicole Fitts was found last April.

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There is now a $10,000 reward for information leading to her daughter, Arianna Fitts', return.

Arianna's family just wants to scoop her into their arms, hear her laugh and see her smile. "I do believe that Arianna's still alive, yes," Arianna's aunt Contessa Fitts said.

The toddler was reported missing last April after her mom Nicole failed to show up for work at Best Buy.

Nicole's body was found a few days later in a shallow grave in McLaren Park, covered with a piece of plywood and no one has seen Arianna since.

Contessa has a theory. "I do believe that someone is caring for her. I believe the whole reason that this happened is because someone wanted Arianna," she said.

Several dozen people gathered Saturday for a vigil as they shared a renewed hope for answers, just one year since Nicole was last seen alive.

San Francisco police confirmed Saturday that they recovered a car possibly connected to the case. The FBI is now testing it for evidence. "It makes me feel great. It's one step closer to having Arianna home," one woman said.

Contessa is optimistic the car could lead to Nicole's killer and Arianna's abductor, as well. "It gives me hope that it's going to, soon, hopefully soon, lead to the people who are responsible," Contessa said.

Nicole called Arianna her butterfly. Family and friends pinned butterflies to their jackets Saturday because the bright, bold, beautiful colors remind them of Arianna. "This right here, is our hopes and prayers that she gets home safely," family friend Michael Jacobo said.