Denise Abigail Vasseur, 31, left her Oceanside, California, home on September 22, 2000, to go to work at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and an overnight staff event. She took an overnight bag and a sleeping bag and was last seen by her husband, Charles Vasseur, at about 5 a.m. that day. When she did not arrive at work or return home, her husband reported her missing.

During the investigation authorities learned Denise had been having an affair with co-worker Patrick Hamilton and that she planned to end the relationship on September 22. Hamilton admitted to killing Denise after an argument when she tried to leave, saying he accidentally strangled her and later buried her in the Anza-Borrego Desert. He led investigators to several locations but Denise’s remains have never been found. Hamilton was arrested after Denise’s disappearance and in 2001 pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving a sentence of 15 years to life.

Denise’s body remains undiscovered. Does anyone have information about Denise’s disappearance or knowledge of the desert areas she was said to be buried in?