Published: December 12, 2007 | Author: Krystina Orozco
Total Views: 2726 | Philippine News
SAN FRANCISCO — The long, arduous search for 25-year-old Veronica Ruiz of Mill Valley, California, who went missing December 3, may have ended but family and friends say they remain hopeful the comely internal revenue agent would be found. Veronica was reported missing at around 10 p.m. A friend who last spoke to her said Veronica told her in early afternoon that she was going on a hike after a disappointing breakup with her live-in boyfriend of two years. Because Veronica is known to frequent Mount Tamalpais located in Marin County, Mill Valley police, along with family, and friends conducted a search on the east side of the mountain and areas nearby.
“With 140 law enforcements, this was one of the biggest searches ever,” close family friend Aprileen Coh told Philippine News. “She’s very special to all of us; any and all help will be appreciated. We just want her home.” Mount Tamalpais, the highest peak of the Marin Hills is a favorite sanctuary of hikers and bikers who seek refuge from the urban madness of the Bay Area.
Older sister Maricris Ruiz of Daly City, describes Veronica as a level-headed young woman, who would not go missing just to attract attention. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and found work for accounting firm KPMG after graduation. She left the company and became an Internal Revenue Service agent. Veronica carries a government-licensed handgun as part of her job. Veronica is described as being 5’5” tall, weighing 120 pounds, with brown eyes, dark brown hair, a light brown complexion, and a scar on her right abdomen. She is an outdoorsy person and participated in the recent Nike Women’s Marathon in October; she played soccer in her earlier years as well.
An army of volunteers, including experienced hikers, former classmates, and complete strangers have joined the search, said Maricris. She estimated 300 volunteers as of last week.“It just goes to show how open and loving peoples’ hearts are,” she said, thanking them. Maricris said a friend spent Saturday night with Veronica as she was feeling out of sorts and had called in sick in her IRS office. Contacted by PN, Mill Valley police report no further progress on the case. They would not say if the boyfriend is a suspect or a person of interest.
There were two reported sightings of Veronica at Mount Tamalpais, prompting speculations she may still be alive. Veronica’s parents in the Philippines were in shock when they received the news. The father suffered a stroke; and the mother remains in a hospital, said Maricris.
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