FARIFAX COUNTY, Va. – Authorities are investigating a homicide after a body found covered by leaves and brush in a park in Alexandria Friday morning was tentatively identified as that of missing 16-year-old Jholie Moussa.

Fairfax County Police officials said officers made the gruesome discovery in a wooded area just off a path in Woodlawn park around 11 a.m.

"The body was almost entirely covered by leaves and brush," officials said.

Police said Jholie's family has been notified and that the identification was based on appearance, including a tattoo.

"We are waiting on the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to positively identify the body and the cause and manner of death," officials said.

We are saddened to report the body found in Woodlawn Park today appears to be missing 16-year-old Jholie Moussa. A homicide investigation is underway. https://t.co/8mGXbYKOuw pic.twitter.com/B7JVQ5uqWI — Fairfax County Police (@fairfaxpolice) January 26, 2018

The 16 year-old was last seen in the 4200 block of Sonia Court in Alexandria on Friday, January 12.

Jholie’s mother said on Facebook that her daughter left the house around 4:15 p.m. that Friday and told her sister she was going to a party in Norfolk.

She was not seen since she supposedly left Alexandria and family reported her missing the next day.

The FBI Washington Field Office along with the Fairfax County Police Department had asked the public’s for information about the case.

Anyone with information regarding Jholie Moussa is asked to contact the FBI Washington Field Office at 202-278-2000 or https://tips.fbi.gov, or the Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131. Tips can remain anonymous.