Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s help in finding a woman missing since March 25; they believe she may be in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Mary Joann Lyles, 49, was reported missing by her family on March 25, Tulare sheriff’s Detective Rodney Klassen said Tuesday.
On March 26, officers with the California Highway Patrol found Lyles’ white 1998 Ford Windstar Van abandoned on Highway 14 near Sand Canyon Road, he said.
http://liarcatchers.com/missing_persons_investigations.html
Tulare detectives on Tuesday sought the public’s help with their search for the missing woman. Asked why they waited almost two weeks, Klassen said: “There is nothing related to the car that looks suspicious.
“That doesn’t mean a crime didn’t happen,” he said. “But we assume she’s in the area. In the immediate area there’s housing and businesses just from the highway.
“She may have gotten out of the car and wandered off,” Klassen said. “If she just stopped the car, we’re inclined to think she walked along the off-ramp and into Santa Clarita.
“Right now, we’re treating this as a priority missing person,” he said, noting the woman is diabetic and might not have her medication with her.
The missing woman’s family told detectives she drove away from her home on March 22 without her cell phone or bank card.
Lyles is described as white, 5-foot-2, 328 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information about here was asked to contact Klassen or Sgt. Jerry Mayberry of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 559-733-6218. Information can also be provided anonymously to tcso@tipnow.com or by phoning 559-725-4194.
