Truck possibly linked to missing Orange County woman is found

By Susannah Rosenblatt and Tami Abdollah

Jan. 16, 2009 12 AM PT

Authorities on Thursday began searching a Brea landfill with earthmovers and a cadaver dog in an attempt to find an 82-year-old grandmother who vanished this week.

The son of Sara Mowry reported her missing from her Laguna Niguel assisted-living home Tuesday, said Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

About 20 investigators arrived at the landfill, in the 1900 block of Valencia Avenue, at midday, acting on an investigative lead, officials said. Amormino declined to elaborate.

The investigation has not been labeled a homicide; Mowry is considered a “critical” missing person who disappeared “under highly suspicious circumstances,” Amormino said. No suspects have been named.

The search was suspended after sunset Thursday, but as many as 50 law enforcement officers are expected to return at 7 a.m. today, with a second cadaver dog from San Diego.

“Literally, they’re going through the trash piece by piece,” Amormino said. “It’s going to be a long, painstaking process.”

Wednesday night, Orange County sheriff’s officials found a pickup truck that they say might be linked to Mowry’s disappearance. Authorities impounded it in Santa Ana after pulling over the driver, an acquaintance of Mowry’s grandson and a parolee at large.

The driver, in his 20s, was arrested on an unrelated charge, Amormino said. The truck will be examined for any evidence.

According to the son, Amormino said, Sara Mowry never left home without her walker. But “the walker’s there, her hearing aids are there, her purse is there, and her medications are there. So that’s highly suspicious.”

Amormino said that Mowry had suffered some “inconsistencies” regarding her checking account but that he could not be more specific. She is described as white, 5 feet 4 and 145 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call (866) 847-6273.

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