Sunday, Sept. 22 marks the two-year anniversary that Arelie Garcia, a 25-year-old woman from Salinas, was reported missing. To continue raising awareness and remind the community that there are still questions left unanswered, Garcia’s family has organized a march at 3:30pm at the Salinas Amtrak station on Market Street.
“We don’t want her to be forgotten,” says Ely Garcia, one of Arelie’s older sisters. “It’s not that the police are not doing their job. We just want answers, we need our sister back. It’s been too long and we still don’t know what happened that day.”
On the day of her disappearance, Arelie’s red Honda Accord was found in Big Sur near the Little Sur River Bridge, over 50 miles south of her home and work, with her purse, phone and keys inside. Her sisters used the “Find My” app to locate her after she failed to show up at work.
The bulk of the information that’s been uncovered happened in the days following her disappearance. The Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team joined together to search for her using search dogs, drones and a helicopter.
Since, they have exhausted all leads.
SPD recently announced that the investigation is still ongoing and active. “We have not stopped, nor will we until we have answers about the disappearance of Arelie Garcia,” SPD wrote. They encourage the public to come forward with any information that could be relevant.
“We’re trying our best to keep her name out there and spread awareness,” says Ely. “We never thought we would be in this position to begin with.”
Arelie’s friends and family, especially her sisters Veronica and Ely, have been at work over the last couple years to find answers. They’ve created a Facebook page (Find Arelie Garcia), an Instagram account (@areliegarcia_2022) and a website (areliegarcia.com).
They have also been raising funds for a billboard to share photos of Arelie and offer a cash reward to anyone with tips.
For now, Ely says the billboard plans have stalled due to complications with billboard companies agreeing to post a non-business-related advertisement.
Arelie is 27 years old, 5-foot-6 with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Edwin Cruz with the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7393 or the anonymous tip line at (831) 775-4222.
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