Who is the 3rd woman missing in Mariposa County?
MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 reward for information regarding the disappearance of Crystal Blackburn and Barbara Barnet.
However, there is a third missing woman: Laura Coventry.
The Sheriff’s Office does not believe Laura is in danger.
“The reporting party reported that she was last seen on July 3,” said Mariposa Sheriff Jeremy Briese.
Laura was reported missing on Tuesday, July 9. The Sheriff’s Office located her and her dog Lexi via surveillance footage at the Foodmaxx in Fresno County that same day.
“And then we have some follow-up video of her returning, I believe, yesterday evening,” Briese said.
Through investigation, they believe she is headed to Southern California. However, Laura will be considered a missing person until law enforcement can contact her in person.
Wednesday, Sheriff Briese announced that both Barbara and Crystal’s cases are now considered a death investigation.
Crystal went missing on Dec. 29, 2023, in the area of Mountain Bullion.
“Was reported as leaving her home, but also there but also there was some known drug abuse and association,” Briese said.
Barbara was last seen on video on March 22 at the Smoke Shop 2.
She was known to travel on foot or hitchhike along the Highway 49 corridor.
“We do know that there was some known association with illicit drugs,” Briese said.
Briese says these two cases are not related.
“It is frustrating because it’s somebody’s loved one and I would love to be proven wrong and we find them both happy and safe.”
Those who might have any information regarding these women’s disappearance of whereabouts are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 209-966-3615.
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