HENNEPIN – The Spring Valley teenager who was found dead in a ditch in rural Putnam County last Saturday died from multiple stab wounds, authorities revealed on Friday afternoon.

That information from Putnam County Death Investigator Bob Cofoid was contained in a brief update from the Sheriff’s Office on the multi-agency homicide investigation surrounding Diamond Bradley’s disappearance and death. The 16-year-old was reported missing on Jan. 23 and found dead along County Rd 850 N at 12:57 p.m. on Jan. 27.

Also, investigators are now particularly seeking information from any member of the public who might have been around a couple of businesses during a defined time frame on the night after she was reported missing.

Specifically, anyone who was in the area of Casey’s General Store or the Shell station in Spring Valley between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Jan. 24 is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office or the Spring Valley Police Department. “These individuals may have seen Diamond in that area,” the news release stated.

The release did not list phone numbers, but the general numbers listed on their websites are (815) 925-7015 for the Sheriff’s Office and (815) 663-2351 for Spring Valley police.

The investigation has led to numerous people being interviewed and tips reported, the release said. At least five police agencies are involved.

Police have not stated exactly where along 850 N the girl’s body was found. But some area residents told the (LaSalle) News Tribune that it appeared to have been on a gravel section near the LaSalle County line, and family and friends of the girl held a vigil there Tuesday.

Gary L. Smith can be reached at (800) 516-0389 or glsmith@mtco.com. Follow him on Twitter @Glsmithx.