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Photos courtesy of Jeannie Atkins.

UPDATE: Santa Clarita Family Finds Missing Sister

Originally published June 2, 2015 at 3:36 p.m.

Mary “Ana” Silva, 65, who went missing yesterday has been found, according to family members.


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Her sister Jeannie Atkins said that Silva wasn’t hurt, but thought about going to the hospital because she didn’t have her medication.

No other details have been released at this time.

Silva flew from the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport near her home in Mexico to Mexico City International Airport on Saturday, May 30, when she was expected to have an 11-hour layover and then depart to Los Angeles International Airport at 6 a.m. Sunday, May 31.

She talked her best friend’s husband and brother to say she landed in Mexico City, but never arrived at LAX, a family member said.

Jeannie Atkins thinks her sister’s visa might have been expired and that she’s being detained by Mexican authorities, she said. She doesn’t think that her sister was abducted or arrested by Mexican law enforcement.

“We’re just worried sick about her. Now, it’s like she dropped off of the Earth,” said Jeannie Atkins, Silva’s sister and wife of Newhall County Water District board member B.J. Atkins. “It’s very unusual for her not to call me. I’m sitting here getting sick to my stomach. This is torture for us and her.”

Silva lives in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, for half of the year and with the Atkins family for the other half, she said. Jeannie Atkins’ brother was expected to pick Silva up from LAX Sunday morning.

“I got up this morning and said, ‘Wait, where are they?’” Jeannie Atkins said. “There was a message from the airline on my home phone saying they had her luggage.”

After several calls to the three airlines, Jeannie Atkins and her family still had no idea where her sister could be.

“Now, I’m frantic and I’m thinking, ‘What the heck am I going to do?’” she said.

Jeannie Atkins has filed reports with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Congressman Steve Knight’s office and the United States Department of Justice, among others.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Los Angeles office does not currently have an investigation open on Silva’s case, said a spokeswoman with the FBI.

The investigation is currently being handled by Mexico City officials, said Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman, adding that the FBI will offer resources to other countries when an investigation involved an American citizen.

“Her best friend in Mexico said my sister was anxious and worried about traveling,” Jeannie  Atkins said. “Her friend was shocked and surprised that (my sister) hadn’t called her.”

Silva’s family was told by an official with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico that they would have her borrowed cell phone pinged to locate it, Jeannie Atkins said.

Silva is 5 foot, 3 inches tall, with a bad ankle, and takes medicine for high blood pressure and anxiety, Jeannie Atkins said. She wears tennis shoes most of the time, is very tan and has light brown hair with blonde streaks. She does not wear a lot of makeup.

“It’s awful, it’s a terrible the pain that my family members, friends and I am going through, it’s frightening,” Jeannie Atkins said. “I ask that everybody pray for her safety and well being. I just want to see her, hug her and hold her.”

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

 

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UPDATE: Santa Clarita Family Finds Missing Sister

2 comments

  1. I am praying for your sister’s safe return. My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time. You are a warrior for acting so quickly and doing what you can to get her information out there! You are doing an amazing job. May God bless you and Mary Ana Silva.

  2. Please help us find our cousin Mary Silva

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About Jessica Boyer

Jessica is an award-winning journalist, photographer, videographer and artist. She has worked with news organizations including NBC Los Angeles, KHTS AM 1220, and the Pierce College Roundup News. She is studying to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis on Photojournalism and a minor in Communications at California State University, Northridge. She has studied and worked in many fields including filmmaking, journalism, studio photography, and some graphic design. She began her journalism journey at the Arroyo Seco Conquestador News Network and the Saugus High School News Network.