Missing indigenous woman, 43, found dead by family in Southern California

An indigenous woman reported missing out of Riverside County earlier this month was found dead Sunday by family members who believe she was likely fleeing from her boyfriend when she was killed.

A “Feather Alert” was issued by the California Highway Patrol for Amy Porter , 43, a member of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians Tribe, who was last seen on Sept. 14 at around 2 p.m. in Lake Elsinore.

On Sept. 22, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, family members discovered the woman’s body in a desert area near Interstate 10 and Wildwood Canyon Road in Yucaipa.

“They said it was bad and I didn’t need to see it,” Shannon Quesada, Porter’s cousin told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson. “I didn’t want that last impression of her to be in my mind.”

Family members said they thought Porter was just leaving her Lake Elsinore home for the day, but on Sept. 17 family members learned from her boyfriend that she was still missing and that he’d last seen her in Pomona.

They immediately reported it to authorities, who they say wasted precious time deciding who would be the lead agency in the search for the 43-year-old. After several attempts to get the word out, CHP issued the Feather Alert, the designated term for when an indigenous person goes missing.

“They don’t care, that’s how it seems,” Angelica Lyons, another of Porter’s cousins, said. “They don’t care for missing people and it’s hurtful because this is our loved one.”

When family members learned from authorities that Porter reportedly caused a traffic accident on Sept. 16 in the area of I-10 and Wildwood Canyon Road, that’s where they focused their search efforts. Porter’s body was later discovered by her younger brother.

Her family believes that she might have been trying to get away from her boyfriend, who has a history of domestic violence and was recently released from prison in connection with an incident two years ago that, according to family members, involved Porter and her daughter.

“He had a gun and threatened to kill all of them,” Quesada said.

So far, Porter’s boyfriend has not been linked to her death, but was taken into custody by police in Pomona on Friday for an unrelated parole violation.

In a statement to KTLA, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians said:

“We are devastated to learn of the loss of our beloved Tribal Sister, Amy. Our hearts are heavy for Amy’s family and loved ones during this most difficult time. We are referring all questions to law enforcement, given the ongoing investigation into this matter. We join Amy’s family in anxiously awaiting the results of the investigation into the circumstances leading to her death.”

The investigation into Porter’s death remains ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Det. Daniel Berumen with SBSD’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4909. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME or leave tips online at www.wetip.com .

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