So, I got my first call to the tip line today. The guy mentioned he knew the family and had seen a flyer a couple of days ago (see, flyers are SO important....please message me and I will send it to you, please!). He lives in the area we had been searching last, the place where Maricela and Allan used to hang out and where Mari lived homeless for a time. Of course, remember that info had never been made public so lent a little more credibility to his story. Anyway, he said that he had heard on the street that Mari was being kept in a nearby storage unit. In addition, he swore he had seen a family member who he also knows coming and going from one in particular. So today, he went over to that facility and walked all around the units. He said he was quietly talking and softly calling Maricela's name. He told me that he had heard tapping coming from inside one of the units. Although he said he didn't hear a woman's voice or see Mari, he "knew" it was her. Hearing the word on the street coupled with seeing the family member at this particular facility, he was adamant that it must be Maricela. He also explained several shady "going on" in the area and said there was a lot more than he could tell me. While the tale seemed somewhat farfetched, it IS plausible that she could be being held in a storage unit or something similar. And despite the story being crazy, he was very believable. He was adamant that he did not want anything, no reward money, etc, he just wanted to help bring her home. He also created a sense of urgency. When I told him it would be tonight before I got there, he insisted I come sooner.
Since I was trapped at home, the PI went over there and met LE She said that when she called dispatch, they were not surprised and were aware that trafficking was an issue there. They talked to the manager who seemed to be genuinely surprised and unaware that anything like that might be happening. They went to the units specified by the tipster and it indeed sounded like there was movement inside that quieted when LE began calling out for Maricela. They stayed for awhile but heard no further noise. Apparently the building is old and "crappy" (I believe that was the word used) and LE thought what sounded like the noises coming from inside the unit may actually have been caused by people on the next row moving in. Because the owners of the units had provided their own locks, the manager was unable to give access. Without someone inside responding to LE, there was no indication that a search warrant was needed so they had to leave without accomplishing anything
I realize this sounds crazy and I was really hesitant to even believe it but plenty of bodies have been found in storage units and its not TOTALLY unlikely that these girls could be abducted in a uhaul or something, driven into a storage unit and being left there until they had a buyer or a house to go to. Did anyone see that SVU episode with the girls being sold online? A storage unit is a great place to do exactly that if you have late access when no one is there. Plus ANY tip that is called in must be investigated. Maybe it is the crazy, ludicrous one that turns out to be true.
Mr. Mistivon and I are on our way back down there now. We are just going to hang out a bit then search the other area mentioned a little better than we did the last time. Plus we are still looking for two people in particular. It's been a few weeks since we were in this area at night and of course, that is when most of the people who would have pertinent information would be out.
In response to the question asked by the above poster, yes, I believe Mari is being trafficked and have always believed that. There was a strategy to the press release naming her ex and the RSO which worked. Of course, you can't have tunnel vision so other options are always explored, but my gut says trafficking. I flip flop tho....some days I am certain she is being held somewhere and hanging flyers won't do any good. Some days I am certain she is dead. I have never believed she is voluntarily missing and in her addiction although that is the best outcome.
I am just so happy that not only are businesses hanging the flyers but people are actually paying attention. I am going to keep hanging them and hopefully the next call will be the one that brings her home.
Thanks everyone for all your help and dedication to finding Maricela.
