March 16 marked yet another year since 15-year-old teen Sierra LaMar disappeared from her north Morgan Hill home. Sierra, a sophomore at Sobrato High School at the time, was reported missing in 2012.
Although a dedicated group of volunteers discontinued formal, weekly search efforts a year ago, a few of them continue to meet on an informal basis to look for any sign of Sierra’s remains. March 19 was one of those occasions, said search volunteer Roger Nelson.
“The search took place with the permission of private property owners, off Eastman Canyon Road” in west Morgan Hill, Nelson said. “This has been an amazing group of volunteer searchers who go out once a month or more, and they do informal searches.”
Authorities think Sierra was kidnapped and murdered by Morgan Hill resident Antolin Garcia Torres, who was arrested a few weeks after she vanished. Her remains have not been found.
Garcia Torres remains in custody. His trial is scheduled to start April 25, but that’s likely to be delayed due to a recent ruling in his case, according to news reports. On March 21, the judge in Santa Clara County Superior Court granted Garcia Torres’ attorney’s request for more evidence related to the police investigation. Specifically, they want more information on a number of DNA profiles belonging to different subjects found on Sierra’s belongings shortly after her disappearance.
Police have revealed that they found Garcia Torres’ DNA on some of Sierra’s belongings, which were discarded in roadside areas near her home. They also found Sierra’s DNA in Garcia Torres’ vehicle.
“Every time I hear there is a (delay in the case), I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that goes through the LaMars and others who knew Sierra and love her,” Nelson added.
