By Sydney Severo
Staff Writer
Missing Mira Costa senior Emily Espinosa contacted her family members over the weekend of Sept. 25 to inform them that she is alive and well, yet she does not want to return home, according to Espinosa’s mother, Krista Valdez.
Redondo Beach Police Department had scheduled a press conference for Sept. 30 to discuss the ongoing investigation; however, due to the recent correspondence with her family, it was canceled because investigators no longer needed to release a public announcement concerning her whereabouts.
Espinosa’s letter is the first communication that she has made with her family since her July 22 disappearance.
“When I first received the letter from Emily, I was relieved,” Valdez said. “But I would’ve liked to hear her voice. She says that she’s okay and doesn’t want to come home. But [the letter] felt cold. Just because she sent a letter, that doesn’t mean she’s okay. Still, nobody has seen or heard from her.”
The letter’s return address, which typically has the source of correspondence, was the Espinosa family home. Valdez stated that the letter was written in Espinosa’s handwriting, and it contained information that only her daughter would know. The RBPD will not release the details confirmed in her letter.
“Espinosa said why she disappeared in her letter, but she did not disclose where she is,” RBPD Sergeant Shawn Freeman said. “[There] is a possibility that she may be out of state.”
Espinosa’s letter stated the reason for her disappearance. However, Freeman said that all the material of the letter would remain confidential with the exception of information Valdez decides to release. Valdez stated that Espinosa felt that her parents were unusually strict in terms of grades, chores, etc., and she did not want to live under their rules any longer.
“She didn’t like our rules is what she said,” Valdez said, “Emily was upset with typical teenage stuff. Not every kid likes their parents’ rules, but we weren’t outrageously strict or anything.”
According to Freeman, Espinosa seems to be attempting to make a new life for herself without the support of her close family and friends. She appears to have no plans of returning home any time soon. Nonetheless, RBPD plans to continually check in with her family and the press for possible contact they may have with her. Espinosa will now be considered a voluntary missing minor.
“The outpouring of support and concern from the community motivates [us] to bring her home safely,” Freeman said. “Emily is 16; she has not finished high school. She is not an adult, nor are we aware that she is trying to emancipate herself as an adult.”
If anyone has any knowledge about Espinosa or her possible whereabouts, please inform the RBPD at (310) 379-2477.
“Thanks to everybody for helping spread the word and getting it out there,” said Valdez.
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