The family of a mom who went missing nearly two months ago says they are now praying their loved one's body will be found after police in Longmont announced she's likely dead.
Rita Gutierrez-Garcia, a mother of three, hasn't been seen since the night of St. Patrick's Day after partying with friends.
Last week, a spokesperson with the Longmont Police provided an unfortunate update to the weeks-old missing person's case.
"It breaks our heart to have to announce that we think she's dead," said Jeff Satur with the Longmont Police Department. "This is an uncomfortable feeling. We hold out hope, but our investigation has not led us to any positive outcome to believe that she's alive today."
It's something that hurt Gutierrez-Garcia's family to hear, but sadly nothing they hadn't already suspected.
“We’re still hoping that she’ll come home, but we’re also realizing that that possibility is there and now just trying to deal with that,” Diane Romero, Rita's mother, said on Wednesday.
Gutierrez-Garcia has three sons -- an 18-year-old, a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old. She was also supposed to be there when her sister Nicole gave birth, but wasn't.
"She would’ve been so happy,” Diane Romero said about the birth of her grandaughter.
"We named her Esmay Pearl," Jessica Romero Reyes, Rita's sister said. "Rita means Pearl.”
The Longmont PD also said there was a person of interest in the case, but did not identify the person. They did, however, say there was no danger to the public.
“Even if it is the worst, help us rescue whatever we can and put her in a peaceful place,” Romero Reyes said.
Police say Gutierrez-Garcia's last known whereabouts were a parking lot in the 300 block of Coffman Street in Longmont.
Police are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Gutierrez-Garcia's discovery or that helps them arrest a suspect. They're asked to call 303-651-8501 immediately.
“Just help us rescue Rita," Romero Reyes said. "Just help us save her from any situation she’s in right now.”
