Skip to main content


Arrest in kidnapping and murder of teen

Sierra LaMar's parents have hope even as cops arrest murder suspect.

The parents of missing teenager, Sierra LaMar, are not going to give up hope in finding their daughter, even as police arrested a 21-year-old man on Monday for her kidnapping and murder.

Sierra LaMar's parents aren't giving up hope in finding their daughter.

Sierra LaMar's parents aren't giving up hope in finding their daughter.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Antolin Garcia-Torres was arrested on Monday evening after being taken into custody at a Safeway located in Morgan Hill. The suspect had been under watch since investigators received lab results of his DNA found on LaMar's discareded clothes.

"Our search still is not going to end," Sierra's mother Marlene LaMar said at a press conference Tuesday. "As a mother, I'm hopeful because her body has not been found."

"We were hoping that he would lead us to where Sierra was," Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said Tuesday, adding that the decision to book Garcia-Torres came out of concern for public safety.

Because LaMar's body has yet to be found, Smith stated that there is strong evidence that points to homicide, something the community has feared since LaMar disappeared on her way to school on March 16. Smith has refused to speak about the state of the physical evidence found on LaMar's clothes and in the suspect's vehicle.

"These are very very difficult cases, to prosecute a homicide when you haven't found the victim," Smith said.

Garcia-Torres' record has shown a past conviction for interfering with an officer, which is a misdemeanor, and a felony arrest for assault, of which he was not prosecuted. Interviews with the suspect have yet to reveal anything about LaMar's whereabouts.

LaMar's mother pleaded with Garcia-Torres to cooperate with the investigators.

"Please, please give the information that you have to lead us to Sierra," LaMar's mother pleaded to Garcia-Torres. "I would like you to come forward and say where she is and end this nightmare."

Sheriff's officials and volunteers have searched the fields, open spaces, and reservoirs near Morgan Hill. Also, a Facebook page was made to try and help find LaMar. The KlaasKids Foundation, found by Marc Klaas, whose 12-year-old daughter, Polly, was kidnapped and murdered in 1993, has been organizing volunteer searches on both Wednesdays and Saturdays.

"We still need your support," Sierra's father, Steve LaMar, said. "We need to bring Sierra home."

On March 17, Sierra's handbag was found with clothing and a cellphone on the side of a road near her home. Earlier this month, a red Volkswagen Jetta was found with investigators saying it may be connected to Sierra's abduction. Officials have released little details about leads in the case, including if they found any evidence in the car.

© 2012, Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention:
The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: kidnapping, murder, arrest, teenager

NEWSLETTERS »

E-mail:       Zip Code: (ex. 90001)
Today's Headlines

Sign up for a roundup of the day's top stories. 5 days / week. See Sample

Rate This Article

Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment


Newsletter Sign Up

Daily Readings

Reading 1, Sirach 4:11-19
Wisdom brings up her own children and cares for those who seek ... Read More

Psalm, Psalms 119:165, 168, 171, 172, 174, 175
Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks ... Read More

Gospel, Mark 9:38-40
John said to him, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us ... Read More

Saint of the Day

May 22 Saint of the Day

St. Rita
May 22: St. Rita was born at Spoleto, Italy in 1381. At an early age, ... Read More




Marketplace

Click Here

Before the Altar
A book for the soul seeking to love God more, and seeking an image of ... Read More


Click Here

EUROPEAN CRUCIFIX 18th century Antique Cross Necklace Read More