Search continues for young Southern California mother who disappeared

Authorities continue to search for a young mother who disappeared in Los Angeles County in 2015.

Monique Figueroa , 27, was last seen leaving her Littlerock home to visit the Florence area on May 19, 2015, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Her father was the last person to see her drive away from their home on the 7200 block of East Avenue U-12 at around 4 a.m.

Her disappearance is being investigated as “suspicious” and as a possible kidnapping, said LASD. Investigators also said there is a strong likelihood that foul play was involved.

Monique’s daughter was 2 years old at the time and family members said she would never abandon her.

“She’s a good mother, she wouldn’t leave,” said Jeff Figueroa, Monique’s father. “She wouldn’t just leave a 2-year-old daughter at home. She’s a really good girl. She always worked and she wouldn’t just disappear like that.”

On May 30, 2015, Monique’s 2004 black Mercedes Benz SUV was discovered in the unincorporated area of Juniper Hills, about seven miles from her home, authorities said. Monique, however, was nowhere to be found.

Jeff said his daughter’s vehicle had scratches on it “like it’d been run off the road.”

He said he was concerned his daughter’s boyfriend was involved in her disappearance. Monique’s boyfriend was arrested in March 2015 and was in jail at the time she disappeared, according to online county inmate records.

In June 2016 , detectives received a tip that remains were possibly buried on a vacant multi-acre field on the 11100 block of Pearblossom Highway.

Investigators spent days digging holes and using cadaver dogs to identify possible burial sites, but nothing was found. Detectives had searched the same property twice before, each time coming up with nothing, authorities said.

At the time, Jeff told KTLA he was frustrated that more wasn’t being done to find his daughter.

A candlelight vigil was held for Monique in 2015 at Littlerock Community Church where more than 100 friends and family members gathered. Her loved ones are hoping that Monique might still be alive today.

Monique is described as a Hispanic female standing 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. She has shoulder-length brown hair and hazel eyes.

A $20,000 reward is being offered by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for her disappearance.

“My heart goes out to Monique’s loved ones who every day bear the pain of her disappearance,” said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “By extending this reward yet again, I want to send a clear message: we are not giving up. We must find whomever is responsible for her disappearance and hold them accountable. If anyone has any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please step forward and speak up.”

Anyone with information can call the LASD’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 and ask to speak with Deputy Karen Shonka or Deputy Mark A. Perez. Anonymous tips can be submitted to L.A. Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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