CITY HALL The family of a Santa Monica woman missing since July said they are worried about her whereabouts and are desperate to find her.
“We haven’t heard from her in about three months and that makes us worried,” said Robert Calderon, the son of Alicia Serrano Medina, who was last seen in the home she shares with Calderon on the evening of July 2. “This is not in her character. We want her to return home so we can all live peacefully.”
Santa Monica detectives investigating the disappearance said Tuesday that they have exhausted all of their leads and are asking for the public’s help. Police said they have searched homeless shelters and hospitals throughout Los Angeles County and have made contact with Medina’s friends in Mexico.
Medina, 52, who stands at 5-feet, 1-inches tall, has brown eyes and brown hair, and weighs roughly 150 pounds. She may be in West Los Angeles, police said. Since her disa p p e a r a n c e, there have been possible sightings of Medina in the West Los Angeles area of I n g l e w o o d Avenue and B r a d d o c k Drive.So far, there is no evidence of foul play, officers said. Medina left behind her car, passport and money.
“She just vanished,” said Lt. Dan Salerno, who is leading the investigation. “We know she had a male companion. We spoke to him and he has no idea where she is.”
The companion is not considered a suspect, according to Salerno.
When asked to describe his mother, Calderon bluntly said she is “short and very mean.” Pushed to explain his remark, Calderon described his missing mother as “tough.”
Medina, who was unemployed at the time of her disappearance, is a homebody who seldom liked to go out and spend money, Calderon said.
“She would pretty much sit at home all the time,” Calderon said.
As he spoke, Calderon’s grandmother could be heard sobbing.
“We all feel like her,” Calderon said. “We’re all sad and just want her back home.”
WE TIP HOTLINE ■Anyone having information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the robbery/homicide division of SMPD at (310) 458-8451 or the watch commander at (310) 458-8427. Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also call the We-Tip national hotline at (800) 78-CRIME (27463). Callers with information may be eligible for to receive a reward up to $1,000....
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.