A 17-year-old Comic-Con attendee’s injuries, originally thought to be from an assault, were likely the result of a fall, San Diego Harbor Police announced on Thursday.
Police came to that conclusion after reviewing surveillance footage from multiple cameras, witness statements and photographs, according to a Harbor Police press release.
“The investigation concluded with a finding that the juvenile female’s injuries were not the result of a criminal assault, and were likely the result of a fall,” the release said. “Her injuries, and physical evidence at the scene, were consistent with a fall from the distance of approximately six feet.”
Police told NBC San Diego the girl scaled a fence where she apparently fell after arguing with her adult male companion.
Police said a security guard found the girl unconscious and bleeding at the Marriott Marquis & Marina’s pool area shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday. The victim — from Lake Elsinore — was in town to attend the pop culture convention.
Earlier in the day, the teenager was cos-playing — dressing up as a costume character — as the female version of Roger Rabbit, according to police. She was still in her costume when the guard found her. The girl was transported to the hospital for treatment and evaluation.
Early Sunday morning, Harbor Police arrested Justin Kalior, 29, of Los Angeles in connection to the case. The victim and the man left a party inside the Marriott hotel room together at around 11 p.m. Saturday after a noise complaint shut the party down.
Kalior was booked into county jail and charged with sexual contact with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The victim and Kalior “knew each other,” Harbor Police Sgt. Todd Rakos told 10News. “They were together for the day at Comic-Con.”
The victim’s family originally believed the teenager was sexually assaulted.
“It’s just so sad, that on her birthday she had one of the most horrific things happen to her,” the victim’s mother Jill Weyer told NBC San Diego.
This was the girl’s first time attending Comic-Con, her mother told NBC San Diego. She was with a trusted friend over the age of 21 and checked in often, Weyer told NBC San Diego.
The finding will not affect the charges against Kalior, who is out on bail, police said. If the District Attorney decides to file charges, his first court date will be Aug. 5.
Police said because the victim is a minor, no more information will be released.
The family told several media outlets that the girl is recovering, but it will be a long process.
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