Mother Charged With Slaying Of Track Star

PHILADELPHIA - A woman who helped lead a highly publicized campaign to find her missing daughter is being held without bail today on charges she killed the 17-year-old track star.

Vivien King, 42, was arrested yesterday on murder and weapons charges in the slaying of her daughter, Shilie Turner, who was shot six times, police said.

WPVI-TV reported last night that King had confessed to the killing, saying she was drunk and high on cocaine the night her daughter came home late.

The girl had talked about wanting to leave home for two years because she didn't get along with her mother, her coach, Tim Hickey, said.

"I was out of my mind. . . . I'm sorry. I need help," King told investigators, according to today's Philadelphia Inquirer.

Turner was last seen Jan. 18 after a bus dropped her off six blocks from her home. Her mother reported her missing the next day.

Her frozen body was found Feb. 20 under some brush at a local park.

Turner was called the best high-school runner in the city. She ran in several national championship relays, and three days before her disappearance she set a regional record for the 800 meters.