Girl’s Body Found in Car Hours After Ex-Beau Found Wounded

MISSION VIEJO —  The body of a 16-year-old was found in her family car behind a warehouse Monday, hours after her former boyfriend, whom she was forbidden to see, was found in his parents’ car with a critical gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted.

Melissa Allyson Austin of Mission Viejo was found at 11:25 a.m. in the 23000 block of Via Fabricante. Deputies declined to describe her condition and said they could not confirm how she died, pending an autopsy scheduled for today.

About 7:15 a.m., police in Laguna Beach had discovered Austin’s former boyfriend, Richard K. Nunno, 20, of Anaheim shot in the chest in an apparent suicide attempt. Nunno was slumped in the passenger seat in the 100 block of Agate Street, said Police Sgt. Lance Ishmael. A handgun was in the car. Investigators didn’t know when the shooting had occurred, Ishmael said.

Police said Nunno had called his mother early Monday morning, saying he was upset and was going to kill himself, police said. His mother called police, who issued a countywide broadcast describing Nunno and the car.

Deputies said Austin’s family had forbidden her to see Nunno.

Meanwhile, when Austin did not return home from a trip to a mall by 8 p.m. Sunday, her family filed a missing person’s report, said Sheriff’s Lt. Dick Olson.

Families of Austin and Nunno declined comment Monday night.

Nunno was taken to Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo, where he was listed in critical condition Monday night, said Ishmael. He was not able to talk with investigators, who will try to interview him today, Ishmael said.