Cecilia Newball was 31 and eight months pregnant when she and her 6-year-old son, Rene Perez, vanished from their Chatsworth, California home on September 20, 1994. Her husband, Alfredo Newball, said Cecilia was at home writing thank-you notes when he left for work; on his return both mother and child were gone. Cecilia’s car was left on the street instead of in the secured garage, personal items including her rings remained at the house, and a store-bought goodbye card was found in the vehicle.

A typewritten letter arrived a few days later supposedly from Cecilia, claiming she had left with a doctor named Arturo and was moving to Honduras, but friends and investigators questioned its authenticity. Friends insisted Cecilia was happily married and would not have left without telling anyone, particularly while heavily pregnant. Investigators also noted suspicious phone calls Cecilia had received months earlier that suggested someone might have been trying to deceive her.

Neither Cecilia nor Rene have been found and foul play is suspected. Authorities have long said Alfredo may know more than he has disclosed, while he maintains they left voluntarily. If anyone knew Cecilia, Rene, or their movements in Chatsworth in September 1994, please come forward with information.