Search continues for Elena Roy

Julie Reeder

Publisher

Dozens of San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers were gathered at Fallbrook Public Utility District, Saturday, Nov. 27, at 8 a.m. to continue the search for Elena Roy, the 83-year old Fallbrook woman who went missing Nov. 3.

"These Search and Rescue workers are all volunteers," Sgt. Joe Jarjura, who was in charge, said. "They don't get paid to do any of this."

Homicide was also at the site, as well as K-9s, according to private detective Tony Campbell, who was on the scene for Village News. Campbell reported there was a large effort going on in De Luz with dozens of SAR volunteers, motorcycles, drones, dogs and four-wheelers.

The Sheriff's Homicide Unit accepted Roy's missing person case, Nov. 13, according to a news release issued by the department. The reassignment of missing persons cases to the Homicide Unit does not denote suspicion of homicide and administratively occurs on all missing persons cases where the person is outstanding, the department said.

"Detectives at the Fallbrook Substation thoroughly investigated the case and utilized multiple resources to attempt to determine Elena's whereabouts," the news release said, adding that homicide detectives recontacted Elena's husband and her family.

According to the release, homicide detectives met with the Sheriff's Search and Rescue who had conducted a large-scale search in Fallbrook for Roy shortly after she was reported missing.

The area of the Santa Margarita riverbed was identified as an additional search area, leading to the Nov. 27 search that numbered about 60 volunteers including those from San Diego Mountain Rescue.

"We work with more mountainous areas like Alpine," said John Hatala, one of the mountain rescue volunteers who came from San Marcos. Hatala was with Dax Ross, also from San Marcos, and Dave Brandt who traveled from El Cajon to assist with the search.

Sheriff's Deputy Yunk was posted at the Santa Margarita trailhead while an unnamed deputy was working with a drone in the background.

The specially trained SAR volunteers searched the expansive area on foot as well as utilizing off-road vehicles, canines and drones. The Sheriff's Dive Team also responded to search a shallow pond and a river in the area.

Roy has been missing since Nov. 3 when it is believed she walked away from her home. She was reported to be seen on Main Avenue in Fallbrook at about 1:30 p.m. that same day, which is the last verified report of her.

Hundreds of volunteers and family members have searched for the last three weeks in local fields, hills, ravines and creeks along the highways, and areas where she's walked to before with no success. Roy is 84 years old as of last week and is reported to be an avid walker.

Despite their efforts, Roy still has not been located and her whereabouts remain unknown.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 858-285-6330/after hours at 858-565-5200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.