SANTEE, Calif. -- A registered sex offender is being held on suspicion of murdering a 24-year-old Santee woman who disappeared May 24, but whose body has not been found, sheriff's deputies said Wednesday.

Brittany Monet Hart, a Costco employee, was last seen buying gasoline at a Santee station, and detectives believe she is dead, Lt. Dennis Brugos said.

Robert Steven Carson, 39, was taken into custody on suspicion of murder Tuesday night after detectives found unspecified evidence in his Spring Valley home in the 1300 block of Marie Street, he said.


Investigators identified Carson, whose birthday is tomorrow, as a person of interest after finding cellular telephone records suggesting the two spoke the night she disappeared, Brugos said.

It was unclear how the two might have been associated.

"Talking to family members (of Hart), they've never heard of him," Brugos said. "We're still looking for the victim and the vehicle, and talking to people acquainted with both of them."

Deputies are looking for Hart's dark gray 1998 Ford Ranger pickup, with the license 6M91555. The truck used to be red, which is evident from red paid visible in the door jambs.

"It was so out of character for her to disappear. She's close to her family. When she's late, she would let them know," Brugos said.

Carson, who is also being held on possession of methamphetamine, runs a business out of his home, which he shares with several roommates, Brugos said.

Carson was convicted assault with intent to commit rape, according to the Megan's Law Web site, www.meganslaw.ca.gov.
Investigators believe Hart was in the house and may have died there.

"We don't believe she's alive," Brugos said.

Carson was locked up and denied bail.

Anyone with information about Hart or the pickup should call the sheriff's homicide office at 858-974-2321 or after hours at 858-565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-TIPS.
Please pray she is alive!!!!!!
I will never forget her, please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers thank you sooooo much!!!!!

Oh man Capri This is sooooo sad. I hope it isn't true. Come here buddy. ((((((((((((HUG)))))))))))))))

Thank you.
Please keep those positive vibes coming!!! please!!!!

huuggsss, Capri

we are stilll holding out hope.
There has been huge seeach parties searching for her and her car.
This has gotten soooooo much media atten.
I will keep you updated. thank you for the prayers and warm thoughts her family really needs it, they have been excellent during this ordeal.
We have come together soooo well.
There's a donation thing at work and working on giving more money as well.
She is deeply missed!!!!!

UPDATE...................THEY interviewed the f.......ucker in jail.
He has no idea how the blood got in his basement.
He has no idea how his cell phone number got on her phone, for a lengthy conversation.
And he is down playing his other cnvictions.
May he rot in HE.......LL
It has been confirmed that the blood found in his basement is Brittany's.
No one desserves what happened to her man. I am sooooo angry she is such a good person great smile petite.
We need to find her.
and her truck. her most importantly.

The guy thats convicted of killing brittany is being cocky and ****. there was a bunch of water in the trunk of his car, the detectives were at my work today they got brittany's things from her locker and were questioning ppl and looking at her previous schedules.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers keep em' comin. Capri

I iwshed he would talk!!!!!!!!
I hope he rots in he....ll

We all just want to be at peace. The convicted killer may have had his best friend involved, he has been bragging non-stop behind bars. May him and his best friend rot in he......ll.

I have not a made thread.......because we are not sure this is Brittany's body, but from the talk that is going around there is a chance it's her body.
Please keep her family and all of us that knew in yer prayers. I know its because of alll of us, you guys, my co workers, me, friends everyone that contributed in some sort of way this is why her family has gone on, #1 being Brittany.
Ps. no prob.

I will be writing blogs on my my space page.

It has been annouced officially today that my co-workers body was found.
We can be as ease for the fact that she may rest now. No one deserves to die the way Brittany did.
We have all been so touched by her precious life. May we find justice now.
Brittany hart 1983-2007. We will never forget her.
It will take awhile for this to set in.

Her memorial is today.

she will be missed