Supervisor Kathryn Barger recommended reinstating the reward, which expired on Aug. 16. The motion was approved 5-0 at the Board of Supervisors’ Sept. 1 meeting.
Monique Figueroa 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.
Figueroa had left her then 2-year-old daughter in the care of her family, who reported her missing several days after she left home.
Figueroa’s car, a 2004 Mercedes-Benz, was recovered 11 days later in an abandoned shed in Juniper Hills. There was no sign of Figueroa, but authorities said there were signs of foul play inside the car.
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, though authorities told “Dateline NBC” that his daughter had refused to cooperate in the investigation.
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 Figueroa had contact with and checked her cell phone and bank records for clues, but found no trail of cell phone or credit card use following her disappearance.
Homicide investigators received a tip in 2016 that Figueroa’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.
Investigators believe reinstating the reward might encourage witnesses to come forward with information that could help provide closure for Figueroa’s family.
Anyone with information on disappearance of Monique Figueroa is urged to call LASD/Cold Case Unit Detective Karen L. Shonka at 323-890-5621 or Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-TIPS (8477).
Previous related stories:
Reward renewed in 2015 Littlerock disappearance
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
Family of missing woman reaches out to community to fund private investigation
Family holds vigil for missing Littlerock woman after vehicle found abandoned
Foul play suspected in woman’s disappearance, public’s help sought
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Jack B says
Inmates spend many hours waiting in various rooms during the intake and outtake procedure at L.A. County Jail. Pictures of missing people with details and reward info should be plastered all over those walls.
Some people grow a conscience and empathy when they get older and might come forward with info one day.