LANCASTER – Family members and loved ones are holding an event in Lancaster this Saturday to say goodbye to Monique Figueroa, the Littlerock mother who went missing under suspicious circumstances more than a year ago and is now presumed dead.
The “Poker Run for Monique Figueroa” will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson, located at 1759 West Avenue J-12 in Lancaster.
The entire community is invited to this event, and the cost to participate is $20 per single rider and $30 for double riders. The Poker Run will end with a Community Potluck Dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. at American Legion Post 311, at 44355 40th Street East in Lancaster. There will be live music starting at 3 p.m., and there will be a raffle featuring gifts donated by local businesses, according to organizers. View a flyer for this event here.
This event is the final vigil for Monique, according to organizers, and proceeds from the event will go to her family to ensure a proper burial.
“Her family needs closure, but it seems we won’t know if and when this will happen,” said close family friend Stacy Stilwell. “[This event] is being put on by local bike club Good Old Boys and friends to raise money for a proper funeral her father wants to eventually give her.”
“The family is still hopeful someone will come forward, but everyday is a reminder that Monique is never coming back and the vigils are painful,” Stilwell added.
Supporters unable to attend this event are encouraged to donate online by visiting https://www.gofundme.com/findingmo.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors last month approved a $20,000 reward for information that helps to locate Monique Figueroa, who was last seen driving away from her Littlerock home in the 7200 block of East Avenue U-12 around 4 a.m. on May 19, 2015.
Her car, a 2004 Mercedes-Benz, was recovered 12 days later in an abandoned shed in Juniper Hills. There was no sign of Monique, but there were signs of foul play inside the car, according to Sheriff’s Department.
Monique had left her 2-year-old daughter in the care of her family, who reported her missing several days after she left home.
Jeff Figueroa told ABC7 the day after his daughter’s car was found that her boyfriend had been recently arrested in a murder case and she was known to hang out with gang members. He said he believed some of those acquaintances feared she would become a witness against them.
Her father begged her captors to free her and told the station that he received a text from his daughter the day after she vanished, saying, “Had to leave; love you; be back soon.”
Investigators questioned people Monique had contact with and checked her cell phone and bank records for clues. But officials said there was no trail of cell phone or credit card use following her disappearance.
Homicide investigators received a tip earlier this year that Monique’s remains might be buried off the 11000 block of Pearblossom Highway in Palmdale. But a search by detectives, cadaver scent dogs and coroner’s personnel did not yield results, authorities said.
Anyone with more information on Monique’s disappearance is encouraged to contact sheriff’s Detective Karen Shonka at 323-890-5621, or Detective Wayne Holston at 323-574-2437.
Previous related stories:
County doubles reward in case of missing Littlerock woman
Littlerock woman missing since 2015, detectives seeking public’s assistance
$10K reward offered for info on missing Littlerock mother
Vigil planned for missing Littlerock woman
Family of missing woman reaches out to community to fund private investigation
Family holds vigil for missing Littlerock woman after vehicle found abandoned
Local man missing from Hermosa Beach
Foul play suspected in woman’s disappearance, public’s help sought
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V says
Any one consider seeing a psychic wouldnt hurt.
Leah says
Ok this bothers me….. Which photo is most recent????? Blond or brunette? She looks like 2 diferent people so please clear that up! I saw her as brunette with a young punk in a black Camaro a few years ago he was driving a v-8 black Camaro rich little punk about 26 or so they were at the gas station on rancho vista Blvd by Home Depot. It looked just like the brunette photo but it was a few years ago. I remember it clearly because he was making a lot of noise with his muscle car black Camaro tinted windows in 20s