Two months after 15-year-old Sierra LaMar disappeared from near her Morgan Hill home on her way to school, investigators have finally made in a break in the case. Last night they arrested 21-year-old Antolin Garcia-Torres outside a Morgan Hill Safeway, and they gave a news conference this morning to reveal further details.
LaMar was on her way to her bus stop when she appears to have been randomly abducted on March 16, and her clothing and smart phone were found discarded two miles away. Police later found a Volkswagon Jetta that they claimed was a key piece of evidence in the case, and Garcia-Torres is the owner of that Jetta. Furthermore, his DNA was found on LaMar's clothes.
LaMar's body has not been found, but police did say for the first time today that she is believed dead. LaMar's parents said they're still holding out hope, but police say because Sierra has had no activity on her Facebook nor has she tried to contact friends, they have to believe she is no longer alive. Garcia-Torres has talked to them a little, they say, but hasn't said much.
In a weird and unfortunate coincidence, LaMar's father is a registered sex offender, however he was never considered a person of interest in this case.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office is still looking for more information, particularly sightings of Garcia-Torres and the car in the days and hours before and after LaMar's disappearance. They can be reached at 408-808-4500 or the anonymous tip line at 408-808-4431.
