Missing Americans in Jamaica

Missing Americans in Jamaica

jamaican flag

Rarely do you hear on the news of an American missing in Jamaica. Most missing person cases usually involve tourists who come to visit the island on a cruise, typically docked in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay, and never make it back to the ship once it’s time to depart. Typically, at the end of the investigation, the missing persons are normally found visiting a relative or staying in a nearby resort, claiming they simply wanted to spend more time on the island.

A recent example of such a case happened this past February. Three U.S. nationals, 24-year-old Tricia Forrester, 35-year-old Glen Triston, and 42-year-old Clinton Hill, boarded the Carnival Sensation Cruise in Miami, Florida. They were reported missing on the February 28th after the cruise docked in Ocho Rios. According to Nationwide Radio Jamaica, all three nationals were accounted for three days later, safe and sound, the last one being found in Montego Bay. According to the Head of the St. Ann police, Senior Superintendent Michael Smith, the three were visiting family members when they were reported missing. The passengers stated they were going to deliver luggage to their family members who were to meet them in Ocho Rios. However, when it was time for the cruise to leave it was discovered their rooms were empty and so they were reported missing.

Another similar case occurred on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, when an American woman, 41-year-old Marjan Ehsani, was reported missing in Kingston. Reports from the Half-Way-Tree police station state, “She checked into a hotel in Kingston on the 4th and was last seen at a gas station in the area. All attempts to get in touch with her were fruitless.” In a surprising twist, she was located only days after in a guest house in Kingston. She was reported to be in good health and returned to The United States shortly after being found.

Desiree Gibbon, 26

Although there are the above scenarios with positive outcomes, there have been a couple unsolved cases over the past decade. The most recent case: A twenty-six-year-old aspiring model and documentary filmmaker, Desiree Hyacinth Gibbon, from Queens, New York, went missing in Jamaica in late 2017. According to the local police, Desiree went to Jamaica on the 20th of October and was given three months to stay on the island. Investigators say she was looking for employment. However, her mother, Andrea Cali-Gibbon, has been reported saying Desiree went to Jamaica with the intention of shooting a documentary. “She wanted to travel to different countries, try new things and experience cultures,” her mom said. Desiree’s father is Jamaican and her grandmother owns a hotel on the island, where she stayed during her visit. At the time of her disappearance, Desiree was visiting Jamaica for possibly her eighth time.

Unfortunately, in December 2017, Desiree’s body was found with her throat slit and her legs, torso, and wrists covered with bruises. She was discovered in the bushes along the roadway of Anchovy, St. James. Local authorities identified her body after taking a photograph of her to the same hotel which her grandmother owns, where she was identified by her Uncle Claude.

Claude said the police officers told him they were looking for two women who they believe may be connected to the crime. The mother insists Desiree would never go out alone and believes this wasn’t a random senseless act, but a crime of passion. “My belief is it was a cold, calculated, planned out murder… It wasn’t a random act of violence. It is somebody she knew, somebody she trusted, and somebody who betrayed her,” Andrea Gibbon, the distraught mother, said. As the case stands, no one has been arrested or charged.

Another unsolved missing persons case dates as far back as May 2012 and involves forty-one-year-old Robert Durbin of Lemay Street, Hartford, who went missing in Kingston. According to the Matilda’s Corner police station, Mr. Durbin was last seen in Jones Town, Kingston 12, carrying out charity work in the community.

Robert Durbin

Robert Durbin

Robert visited Jamaica to teach law, lecturing part-time on the weekends through a University of London international program. According to the Hartford Courant, he was a councilman of the West Hartford Town Council and the reason for his visits to the island was to learn about the heritage of Jamaican and West Indian constituents. Durbin said he got a close view of how local services work in Kingston.

“I’m living and volunteering in a low-income development down here. It’s a very up-and-coming, low-income area, so it’s a nice opportunity to work with some social workers. Obviously, this area is a lot different from West Hartford… but my work here in the community will contribute to my service on the town council.”

Some months after, Robert resigned from town council following controversy due to his part-time move to Jamaica and an arrest on charges of interfering with an officer. According to the Hartford Courant, Robert had followed police to a distress call of a domestic disturbance and persistently offered his services as a criminal lawyer to the residents whom he claimed to know. The residents, however, stated they hadn’t known Mr. Durbin, nor had they summoned anyone for legal aid. Durbin was charged with interfering with an investigation and first-degree criminal trespass.

With his political career finished and his divorce processing, Robert decided to go back to Jamaica to do charity work in Jones Town, a peculiar destination as their reputation hasn’t been the best, and can actually be considered a dangerous part on the island. Fast forward to 2018 and Robert Durbin has yet to be found.

In closing, there aren’t many reports of Americans going missing in Jamaica because it is not a regular occurrence. Tourism is one of Jamaica’s main sources of foreign exchange, accounting for over 50% of the total amount. The tourism industry is responsible for about one-fourth of all jobs on the island. As such, the locals treat foreigners like royalty, but just like everything in life, there are a few exceptions.

 

Virtual Kidnapping Scams

Virtual Kidnapping Scams

By: Kym Pasqualini, Lauth Investigations Feature Crime Writer

Kidnapping

You receive a phone call and hear the voice of someone you don’t recognize. They tell you they have your child and will kill them unless you pay a ransom. They direct you not to call police or you will never see your child again.

What would you do?

You tell the person on the other end of the phone not to hang up. You don’t want to disconnect with the one person that can reunite you with your child. You plead for your child’s safe return. “Please don’t hurt her. I will do whatever you want,” you cry.

They demand you go to the bank and wire a ransom of several thousand dollars. Do you call the police? Do you pay the ransom and hope some thug will return your child to you safe?

A child going missing is every parent’s worst nightmare. For those who do have a missing child, living with such ambiguity is said to be the most traumatic of human experiences.

Sounds like a situation that only happens in the movies, right? Or, something only happening to the wealthy.

According to Newsweek, the Seattle Police Department is issuing warnings to parents advising scammers are targeting parents and demanding a ransom in exchange for the safe return of children they kidnapped . . . well, virtually kidnapped. Police throughout the country are following suit.

kidnapped child

On March 8, 2017, in Ravensdale, Kings County, approximately 30 miles southeast of Seattle, a mother drops her children off at the school bus. Shortly thereafter, she receives a phone call from a man who threatened to kill her child if she didn’t pay a ransom.

The mother was able to reach out to the school to make sure her children were there. The school confirmed they were safe.

King’s County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News, this was the first reported incident in their jurisdiction.

In another case, a woman called a father “hysterically crying” claiming to be his daughter and stating she had been kidnapped. A man then got on the phone and told the dad if he didn’t pay a ransom, he would hurt his daughter.

Officers in Denver have responded to several reports of kidnappings. In a press release issued by the Denver Police Department, police say the caller demands a monetary payment in exchange for the release of the victim’s child. The caller dials the parents in the afternoon and demands the ransom to be wired to a bank.

After investigating the recent incidents in Denver, they determined the kidnappings were false and all children involved in the incidents were found safe.

Virtually Kidnapped Daughter

On Monday, April 16th, Sean Hollister was at his residence in Longmont, Colorado, about 15 miles northeast of Boulder, and received a frightening call from his 11-year old daughter who he thought was at school.

“My daughter was in tears, sobbing,” Hollister told the Times-Call. “I thought she was in trouble or something. She said, ‘Dad, I’m sorry I let this happen,’ which is exactly what she would say,” Hollister said.

“I said, ‘What’s wrong,’ and I offered up her name, so he knew my kid’s name,” Hollister said a man got on the phone and told him, “I got your daughter in a truck. She is on her way to Mexico.”

When Hollister told the man he was calling the police, the girl came back on the phone screaming. “Daddy, they are cutting me. Don’t call 911.”

Hollister was able to call police on his cell phone. “The caller told Hollister to get his wallet and identification and promptly leave the house.

Victims of “virtual kidnapping” describe the incident as traumatic.

Victims of “virtual kidnapping” describe the incident as traumatic.

Hollister’s postman was in the yard when he walked outside. “I’m mouthing ‘Help me,’ and he is freaking out,” said Hollister.

Longmont police showed up at his home fast and they took over from there and the caller hung up. Officers quickly determined Hollister’s daughter was safe.

The traumatized father would later find out the callers were trying to pull off a “virtual kidnapping” scam.

“The gap between the cops getting there and finding out my daughter is okay was terrifying,” said Hollister. “Who would think someone would be that cruel?”

Hollister’s caller had a Mexico number, but police say it is possible the caller was local and hijacked the number to appear like the call was made from out of the country.

In yet another case, a woman received a frantic call her brother had been kidnapped, injured and bleeding out, demanding thousands of dollars through a wire to return him safely. She was able to reach her brother on another phone and never paid any money, but a clear sign anyone can be a victim of this type of horrific scam.

According to FBI kidnapping expert, Agent Eric Arbuthnot, several organizations use these scams regularly to make money.

“Thousands of dollars in ransom,” said Arbuthnot. “And you’re talking about a criminal organization that is capable of doing more than one kidnapping at a time.”

According to Arbuthnot many of the cases have been happening on the West coast and along the border involving criminal organizations from Mexico, some claiming to be members of the cartel.

The FBI has seen recent increases in California, Nevada, New York, and Texas.

Monroe Police Department in Connecticut said by using social media, scammers can identify a victim, look up relatives, and reference names of family members and friends to make the call appear legitimate.

FBI Supervisory Agent Christopher Johnson said his office in St. Louis, Missouri deals with these types of crimes. “Scammers will often mention specific facts about the parent or victim, likely from information they were able to obtain online.”

Authorities say about one in five kidnapping cases are successful resulting in the criminal getting their ransom and not getting caught. While extortion has been around for decades, virtual ransom kidnapping calls are increasing around the country.

FBI Special Agent Glenn Milnor warns parents about virtual kidnapping.

FBI Special Agent Glenn Milnor warns parents about virtual kidnapping.

With this emerging scam, the FBI has launched a nationwide campaign to warn parents to fight back against “virtual kidnapping.”

If you receive a virtual kidnapping ransom call…

Unlike traditional kidnapping schemes, a “virtual kidnapper” has not actually kidnapped anyone. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if you receive a call from an individual demanding a ransom for the safe return of a kidnap victim, it is suggested you quickly evaluate the following to determine if you are receiving a legitimate ransom call:

  • Caller insists you stay on the phone.
  • Call does not come from your child’s cell phone.
  • Caller tries to stop you from contacting the kidnap victim.
  • Call includes demand for ransom to be paid via wire transfer.
  • Ransom amounts may decrease quickly.

Knowing what to do

Police say it is best to hang up the phone; however, if you continue the conversation pay attention to the following:

  • If you engage the caller, don’t call out your loved one’s name.
  • Deliberately try to slow the situation down and ask to speak to your child directly.
  • Ask “proof of life” questions like, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
  • To gain confirmation if your child is an actual kidnapping victim, ask questions only your child would know such as the name of a pet.
  • Listen very closely to the voice of the person speaking. If possible record the call.
  • Have someone else try to call your child’s cell phone, school, text, social media, etc., to confirm their safety.
  • To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand or tell the caller you need time to make arrangements.
  • Don’t agree to pay a ransom: by wire or in person.
  • Don’t deliver money in person.
  • Immediately call your local FBI office and police.

According to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), as of March 31, 2017, there were 86,618 active missing person cases in the FBI database, with 8,792 entered as involuntary.

Experts agree an actual kidnapping with a ransom demand is quite rare but all experts urge parents to be vigilant.

To read the FBI warning, please click here.

 

Caveat Emptor

Caveat Emptor

From Latin, it means “buyer beware.” It’s a phrase that conjures scenes from the famous tale of “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Young Jack’s mother, filled with shame and frustration, regrets sending her son to market after finding out he’d sold their most valuable possession—their cow—for a handful of beans. Jack’s mother feared her son had been a victim of consumer fraud, and unfortunately, it is far from fiction.CONSUMER FRAUD PHOTO

In many ways, capitalist America is the perfect hunting ground for the man with the magic beans. America is one of the largest consumer nations on the globe. Securing an excellent deal on goods and services means bragging to your friends about how you got the new lawnmower for a song. The consumer feels intelligent and capable, as if they managed to somehow trick the store or salesperson into giving it to them at an attractive price. American consumers chase this feeling by attending special sales, racking up credit card debt, and turning coupon-clipping into an Olympic sport—all in the interest of outsmarting the man with the magic beans.

Luckily for American consumers, there are institutions that help protect them from consumer fraud, such as the Better Business Bureau, which identifies problematic businesses that might swindle American consumers out of their hard-earned money. There’s the Federal Trade Commission, a government agency policing business practices and policies to protect American consumers and regulate competition within industries to maintain a healthy, well-balanced economy. In the long century since both of these institutions were established, the man with the magic beans has also changed and evolved, just like any predator.

Mortgage fraud picOne of the most common types of consumer fraud in America is mortgage fraud. Owning one’s home is still very much a part of the American dream. Americans shop for homes for months, searching for the certainty they will not overpay for their homes. Those who have morbidly derelict credit are afraid to answer the phone, desperate to evade bill collectors, petrified of losing their home. They are perfect targets for criminals running foreclosure-rescue schemes.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines it as “perpetrators profit by selling the property to an investor or straw borrower, creating equity using a fraudulent appraisal, and stealing the seller proceeds or fees paid by the homeowners.” Perpetrators convince the debtor they can transfer their poor credit into the name of a third-party investor (i.e. the perpetrator), renting their property until such a time their credit is once again in sufficient standing. The perpetrator fails to make the mortgage payments on behalf of the victim and pockets the profit.

As technology advances, there are more convenient ways to pay for goods and services with the rise of electronic pay, using applications and online services to pay bills. It might be the best way to avoid another common type of consumer fraud: debit-card fraud. Many Americans are familiar with credit card fraud but might believe their debit cards are safe. Ken Stalcup, a certified fraud examiner working with Somerset in Indianapolis, identifies these types of fraud for a living, but even he is not immune to consumer fraud. He was just paying the bill at a restaurant. The waitress disappeared out of sight with his debit card to clear his bill, and when she returned, nothing was amiss. However, Stalcup’s bank was alerted when it appeared his debit card was used to purchase computer equipment almost halfway around the world. The waitress had sold his card information, enabling other criminals to steal from him. His advice to other vulnerable consumers is to “avoid letting their debit cards out of sight and check their accounts daily.”

One of the most devious forms of consumer fraud is charity frauds. Fake charities are set up with the intention of exploiting humanity’s capacity for the desire to help those less fortunate than oneself using the same system that real charities use to collect legal donations. According to a 2011 statement by the FTC, they received more than 30,000 reports of people making donations to fraudulent charities. Just as easily as Americans are vulnerable to a good deal, they are also vulnerable to putting their money towards a charitable cause, whether out of actual benevolence or the appearance of such. These predators are especially fond of slithering out of the woodwork in the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes like Katrina and Maria that devastated both New Orleans and Puerto Rico respectively. These tactics add a brand-new level of sleaze to consumer fraud, taking advantage of the American need to help their fellow man.

Consumer ProtectionIn addition to remaining an informed and skeptical consumer, there are other ways you can protect yourself from consumer fraud. Enlisting the help of a private investigator or a similar inquisitive entity can help you protect yourself from scams like those mentioned above and resolving these frauds after they are perpetrated. A private investigator’s job is to serve the specific needs of their client, diligently capturing the entire picture of how severely the consumer might have been affected by a particular fraud. Of course, they can be a perfect tool for exposing the agencies that claim to want your money and knowing exactly where the money is going. Local authorities are often overwhelmed by crime statistics that force them to practice triage when dealing with different types of cases. Private investigators have an invaluable list of tools at their disposal, which they can often use without the restraints legislation places on law enforcement. Whether you’re outsourcing to a third party or taking your personal consumer protection into your own hands, never let your guard down when it comes to the man with the magic beans.

Intelligence in Business (OSINT)

Intelligence in Business (OSINT)

By: Kym Pasqualini, Feature Crime Writer for Lauth Investigations

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) is the collection of data from publicly available sources to be used in the context of intelligence. Within the intelligence world, the term “open” refers to overt, meaning sources available publicly, opposed to clandestine or covert sources.

OSINT is not a new concept. It has been in use for decades. However, with the arrival of instant communication and fast information transmission, a significant amount of predictive and actionable intelligence can now be obtained from unclassified public sources.

OSINT should not be confused with public intelligence or open-source software.

The U.S. Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) define OSINT as information produced from publicly available information collected, exploited, and disseminated in a timely manner to an appropriate audience for the purpose of addressing a specific intelligence requirement.

In short, open source acquisition involves procuring written, verbal or electronically transmitted material that can be obtained legally without any type of clandestine collection techniques.

Background of OSINT

OSINT’s originates with the pre-Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The formation of the 1941 Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service (FBMS) was born during World War II and evolved into the 1967 Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service (FBIS), the predecessor of the Open Source Center of today.

Acquired by the CIA in 1947, FBIS emerged as the only recognized service organization trained and equipped to monitor and process foreign broadcasts for the benefit of all government agencies needing the service.

Coverage worldwide, to the extent it exists today, was beyond the dreams of those who lived in that era.

In 2005, following the 9/11 attacks, the Director of National Intelligence Agency, Porter J. Goss, announced the creation of the DNI Open Source Center. The Center is designed to collect information available from databases, radio, television, video, geospatial data, photographs and commercial imagery.

OSINT Information Flow Categories

  • Media to include newspapers, obituaries, magazines, television, and radio worldwide.
  • Internet includes, but not limited to, online publications, discussion groups, blogs, citizen video (user created content and video), Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media websites.
  • Commercial Data includes commercial imagery, industrial and financial assessments and databases.
  • Grey Literature: patents, working papers, business and corporate documents, newsletters, technical papers, and unpublished works.
  • Professional and Academic publications obtained through journals, symposia, academic papers, journals, theses, and dissertations.
  • Public Government Data: telephone directories, press conferences, websites, speeches, budgets, hearings and other public government reports.

There are various disciplines of OSINT and the methods and applications are almost endless.

The New OSINT

Ten years ago, open source information was scarce; however, in recent years OSINT has taken on an entirely new meaning.

Back in the day, people were primarily found by searching a phone book. Today, people are increasingly comfortable with sharing their personal information and a treasure trove of information for those who want it.

social network flowchart

 

According to Statistica, it is estimated there will be 2.77 billion social network users around the globe in 2019. Social media has become an excellent and consistent source of information.

While, decades ago the problem was shortage of open source information, the biggest difficulty now, is filtering through an overabundance of information.

Some examples of OSINT resources are:

  • Internet directories containing personal information, residences, relatives, demographics, employment, contact information.
  • Social networking sites provide personal information, friends, family members, interests, photographs, videos, and activities.
  • Online reviews provide interests, purchases, activities and lifestyle.
  • User contributed information could be a blog, hobbies, opinions, and expertise.
  • Academic sites provide information related to education, business conferences, associations, and academic papers.
  • Company websites have personnel listings, backgrounds, location, duties, services, and contact information.
  • News sources provide topical information, reports, events, personal history, obituaries, and contact information.
  • Government sources provide personal information, criminal background, court activity, minutes, locations, demographics, tax records and other financial data.

Social Media Monitoring and Geofencing

Companies like Echosec, based in Victoria B.C., offers a web platform to draw what is called a “Geofence” allowing users to pinpoint a location of interest on a map and obtain information within selected parameters, then filter searches by keyword, hashtag, or username within the geofence.

Geofencing

Echosec’s real-time social media mapping connects virtual communities to real-world locations and gives new meaning to Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS). A powerful research tool combining GIS and OSINT.

 

This is becoming a popular method of analysis for retail, branding, journalism, private investigation, and finance, collecting what Echosec calls “hyperlocal insights” for better business and breaking news stories.

Google, Yahoo, Bing and other traditional link-crawling search engines do not typically access the information professionals using OSINT research techniques and resources can provide.

Embracing Geolocation

Geolocation is one of the most valuable resources used today. For example, videos and photographs shared publicly often contain information where the photographs originated.

Texting

Most of us post pictures of ourselves and our friends, tagging each other during a vacation at the beach or out on the town. A geotagged picture is a post that attaches a “geotag” which is the physical location to the post. It allows users insight to their followers, where they are, and what they are doing.

Social media and Geo-location monitoring of open-source information has been more frequently used by law enforcement and private investigators to conduct investigations. Whether a missing person investigation or background check, basic and even critical investigations can benefit from OSINT.

For example, a person is reported missing and frequently posts photographs on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Investigators can access the geotags and see where the person was last and often see who they were with, allowing the investigating agency the ability to immediately expand their investigation.

Open Source Private Investigations

Many private investigators are now specializing in open-source intelligence and social media investigations, referred to as Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT). While much of the information is available publicly, there are many reasons why an individual would choose to hire a private investigator.

Private investigators have become experts in the field of open-source intelligence investigations.

Private investigators have become experts in the field of open-source intelligence investigations.

Simply, private investigators know how to search, where to search and what to search for, making hiring a private investigator a more efficient choice. Private investigators know if the information is online, in a state repository, library or the courthouse.

Information that can be obtained includes but is not limited to the following:

  • Voter registration
  • Bankruptcy records
  • Corporate records
  • Property records
  • Probate records
  • Divorce records
  • Marriage records
  • Court records
  • Criminal records
  • Due diligence
  • Business information
  • Financial information

Whether a private individual or a business, obtaining the right information often leads the investigation in a specific direction. Private investigators of today are the next-generation of private intelligence providing services such as:

  • Fraud Investigations
  • Competitive Intelligence
  • Counterintelligence
  • Intelligence Collection
  • Internet Investigations
  • Email Tracing
  • IP Investigations
  • Financial Investigations
  • Asset Investigations
  • Pre-investment Investigations
  • Difficult to locate
  • Missing Persons
  • Background Investigations

Knowing when to use a private investigation firm can help hasten an investigation. The service of these firms can make life easier because it requires more than just knowing how to use the Internet. And when all resources are exhausted, a good old “gum shoe” detective can investigate – boots on the ground.

Protecting Your Business with OSINT

Thomas Lauth of Lauth Investigations International uses his nearly 20 years experience working with both private and business sectors. “Open-souce Intelligence or OSINT isn’t a common term used in the business world; however, I can assure you it is a dynamic method of information gathering for businesses in this day and age,” said Lauth.

(Open-source intelligence is being used more frequently to protect company’s information.)

The importance of OSINT is business can’t be exaggerated. It is a matter of gathering intelligence from publicly available sources and analyzing that information for connections and actionable intelligence that would not be normally publicized. In fact, there may be information about your own company available publicly that can make it easier for someone who is considered an “insider threat” or conducting a social engineering campaign to obtain proprietary or damaging information.

“Conducting periodic OSINT for your business, assessing the risks, and addressing vulnerabilities can save a company from failure,” add Lauth. “It is a recommended and necessary action item for all successful businesses.”

OSINT is contained in company websites, reviews, Google searches, along with newspapers, geo-location data within images, company reports and other publicly available data. Often overlooked is social media. Companies and employees often provide more information to hackers or “insider threats” than realized.

Criminals can exploit easily obtained information to conduct scams or a social engineering campaign against a business. In fact, criminals use OSINT too – only for their own devious purposes.

To exploit weak links, criminals or “black hats” can spend weeks, even months researching employee email addresses, current projects, employees that manage money and monitor their social media. They will even study the way employees communicate with each other, gathering the information to create convincing phishing scams and social engineering attacks.

The information collected to conduct these criminal activities is not obtained by hacking into the company, it is obtained by gathering publicly available information.

“The trick is to stay one step ahead of the criminals,” said Lauth. “When working with clients, we ensure we identify vulnerabilities and the process is conducted effectively, efficiently and confidentially.”

The bottom line, by exercising due diligence, using OSINT, and reviewing your own publicly available information, you can protect yourself and your company.

 

Mysterious Disappearance of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia

Mysterious Disappearance of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia

 

Rita Gutierrez-Garcia

By: Kym Pasqualini, Feature Crime Writer for Lauth Investigations

Rita Gutierrez-Garcia missing since March 17, 2018 from Longmont, Colorado.

Rita Gutierrez-Garcia missing since March 17, 2018 from Longmont, Colorado.

It was St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2018, a mother of three boys vanished into thin air in Longmont, Colorado. Rita Gutierrez-Garcia went out to celebrate with friends and family in the evening.

The group went bar hopping to the Speakeasy located at 301 West Main Street and the Breaker’s Grill located at 380 Main Street. Rita was last seen in an alley behind 3’s bar talking on her phone at approximately 2:30 a.m.

Deputy Chief Jeff Satur of Longmont Police Department said Rita was overheard telling someone on the phone she would get a ride from “someone else.” Authorities also say there were as many as seven or eight potential witnesses behind the bar that evening.

“Our old standby of tracking the phone is not working for us,” said Satur. “But we are working our very hardest to find Rita.”

Rita is a mother of three young boys, ages 9, 13, and 18, and described by family as a bubbly and busy mom, who is just one college semester away from becoming a paralegal. Something she has worked very hard for.

Satur told Fox 31, “As you can imagine, everybody is concerned,” he said. “This is unusual behavior.”

Police have asked for anyone who may have seen Rita that evening, to call them immediately.

Connection to Beating Victim Dismissed

Longmont Police Department was investigating the possible connection between a young man found with head trauma and the disappearance of Rita. Tyler Bullock was found at the same location eight days after Rita disappeared, at approximately 2:30 a.m.

Tyler Bullock was found unconscious five days after Rita Gutierrez-Garcia’s disappearance in the same area she was last seen.

Tyler Bullock was found unconscious five days after Rita Gutierrez-Garcia’s disappearance in the same area.

According to Tyler’s sister Kristal Beecher, Tyler was in the intensive care unit for head trauma due to bleeding on his brain. Tyler was found behind the bar unresponsive due to serious head injuries. He is now recovering.

“There is zero connection. I just need to stress there are no suspects in my case. It’s really just a matter of the specific block in Longmont needing better security systems, more cops on busy nights, and cameras, maybe undercovers,” said Tyler, still recovering from the traumatic experience.

The Search

On March 24, 2018, Longmont Police divers searched a pond at Golden Ponds Parks southwest of Hover Street and Third Avenue but did not find anything. Golden Ponds is a network of ponds and walking paths. Police, Longmont Emergency Unit, and Longmont Fire Department searched from approximately 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Canines were also used in the search.

Police divers searching area of Golden Ponds in Longmont, Colorado. Courtesy of Daily Camera.

Police divers searching area of Golden Ponds in Longmont, Colorado. Courtesy of Daily Camera.

Deputy Chief Satur declined to answer what they were searching for. “We were looking for evidence,” Satur said. “That’s all I can say.”

Police are treating the disappearance as a missing person case and “suspicious disappearance.”

“We will continue to work all leads and go from there,” Satur said. “We are going to continue working until we figure out what happened.”

Police have been working long hours in the search for Rita, and rotating staff to ensure fresh eyes are involved in the investigation.

Mom and Sister Plead for Help at Press Conference

Prior to Rita’s disappearance, she was very active on Snapchat but has not posted since her disappearance. This worries her family.

Diane Romero and Jessica Romero please for the public’s help in the search for Rita Gutierrez-Garcia.

Diane Romero and Jessica Romero please for the public’s help in the search for Rita Gutierrez-Garcia.

“I love you,” said Rita’s mother Diane Romero at a press conference organized by Longmont Police Department on March 22, 2018. Holding a picture of her daughter, “I need you here,” she said.

Rita’s sister Jessica Romero tearfully told reporters, “She’s my older sister and I’ve never had to go a day without her in my entire life,” said Romero.

Family and Friends Hold Vigil

Family and friends of Rita held a prayer vigil on March 25th at Longmont’s Thompson Park. There, they offered comfort to each other and covered a tree with ribbons of different colors and cards with prayers for her safe return.

Jessica Romero

“I know they are doing all they can do to help us,” Romero said about police investigators. “They are doing a lot to bring Rita home.”

Rita’s sister Jessica said, “I’m trying not to break down.” Rita’s three sons are staying with her and she is trying to be strong for them. “It’s been nerve-wracking just trying to remember to breathe.”

Pastor Choutka, the pastor at the Rocky Mountain Christian Church’s Niwot campus, asked people attending the vigil to gather around the family, asking God to give Rita’s mother strength and help the investigators.

“By the powerful name of Jesus, we do ask for a miracle, that she be found safe and sound,” Choutka said to those who gathered at the park to pray.

Rumors and speculation of what happened to Rita have circulated and the family is trying to protect the young boys and cousins. “We are trying to keep them strong,” Diane Romero said.

Rita was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with black leggings. She has tattoos on both arms, as well as on her shoulder and on her feet.

Sleeve tattoo with eye and wave design on Rita Gutierrez-Garcia’s arm.

Sleeve tattoo with eye and wave design on Rita Gutierrez-Garcia’s arm.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Rita Gutierrez-Garcia should contact the Longmont Police Department 303-651-8501.