Authorities in California are searching for a vehicle that could help them with solving with the case of Sierra LaMar, who disappeared in March.
Investigators said they need assistance in finding a red four-door sedan that was spotted in the Morgan Hill area of Santa Clara County when the 15-year-old disappeared nearly two months ago. A photo of a 1990s-era red Jetta was released by police on Monday morning. The vehicle in the photo is similar to the one authorities are searching for, but with a black hood, police said.
"Witnesses combined with investigative review of video surveillance sources have identified a vehicle similar to ... [the red Jetta] as being associated to Sierra's disappearance," Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman Jose Cardoza said in a Monday afternoon press release.
"The Sheriff’s Office is asking the south county community to call the tip line with any information associated to the vehicle, which may assist detectives in their investigation," Cardoza added.
View the Help Find Sierra Facebook page.
Sierra LaMar
Cardoza also said authorities have ruled out as being linked to the case several items previously found during search efforts, including a handcuff box and used condoms. The items were found March 29, by a volunteer searcher about a mile from where LaMar was supposed to board the school bus the day she disappeared. The handcuff box was empty and the used condoms were found about 5 feet away.
According to Cardoza, some undisclosed information "developed" by the sheriff's investigators and supported by forensic examination "has assisted in furthering the investigation." He also said investigators are still awaiting additional lab results. Cardoza did not elaborate on the type of information that was uncovered and did not immediately return several calls for comment from The Huffington Post.
LaMar has been missing since the morning of March 16, when she left her Morgan Hill home in Santa Clara County to attend classes at Sobrato High School. The sophomore never made it to the bus or school. The following day authorities found Lamar's discarded cellphone along a road about three-quarters of a mile northwest of her mother's home. The day after that her purse and backpack were recovered about a mile from where investigators recovered the cellphone.
Police have no suspects and no persons of interest at this time.
Sierra LaMar is 5 feet 2 inches tall and of thin build. She has brown eyes and long, black hair. She was last seen with a Juicy brand purse, of a black and pink design.
The sheriff's department has asked anyone with information about this case to contact investigators at 408-808-4500 or an anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431. Tips can be sent by email via tips@sheriff.sccgov.org.