The father of a missing college woman says his daughter -- or someone using her AOL instant messenger account -- logged on to a computer Wednesday, the Seattle Times reports.
Edgar Perez, whose 18-year-old daughter Marizela disappeared March 5, said family members noticed activity on the young woman's AOL instant messenger account Wednesday night.
Perez reportedly said relatives in Connecticut noticed that the woman's screenname was lit up, indicating that she or someone else had logged on to her account on the popular instant messaging system.
"They saw she's online," Perez told the newspaper. "We're not sure it's her or someone else logged on. Hopefully, she's sending messages to friends. Hopefully, she's the one who logged on."
Marizela Perez, a student at the University of Washington, was reportedly carrying her laptop when she was last seen almost two weeks ago at a Safeway store in Seattle.
While police have said there is no evidence to indicate foul play, law enforcement as well as dozens of volunteers are scouring the area for any trace of the young woman.
"We remain hopeful and we will not rest until we find Marizela," the woman's parents, Edgar and Jasmin Perez, said in a statement.
The family released surveillance video last week of Perez exiting the Safeway check stand and store and posted it to YouTube. The video shows Perez wearing a dark-hooded jacket and denim jeans with light brown suede-laced boots. Her family said she was possibly wearing green eye contacts and carrying a denim drawstring backpack with rainbow butterfly screen print.
Perez's family said they believe the young woman was headed for a light-rail station and then on to the university's campus.
Family members have set up a website -- FindMarizela.com -- with details on the woman's disappearance. They say the young woman was taking anti-depressants at the time of her disappearance and is "in a vulnerable state of mind."
"We are concerned about Marizela's safety, health, and well-being," the family said.
Perez is the cousin of nationally-syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin.
Perez is described as 5-foot-5 with brown hair and an asymmetrical "bob" haircut. Authorities are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts to call Seattle police at (206) 684-5520.
Click here to read more on this story from the Seattle Times
Click here to see surveillance video of Marizela Perez on YouTube
Click here to see surveillance video of Marizela Perez on YouTube
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
