Family Of California Woman Who Disappeared On Way To Gym Seeks Public’s Help

The family of a woman who told them she was on her way to the gym last month hopes the public can help find their missing loved one.

Sara "Celeste" Otero, 28, was last seen at around 8:40 a.m. on Jan. 28, in Oceanside, California, according to the Oceanside Police Department. Authorities say the woman, who they’ve listed as “at risk,” is known to frequent beaches and state parks, including Joshua Tree National Park.

Otero’s family is desperate for answers, admitting they have few details about Otero’s disappearance, according to Fox News.

“That’s the entire reason that we’re trying to ask the public for any and all information at this point because we don’t know anything,” Otero’s stepbrother, Ryan Bear, told Fox News.

Otero was last seen on the 1200 block of Alderney Court, part of San Diego County. She allegedly told her stepfather she planned on meeting a friend at a local gym for a workout session but never arrived. The friend was unaware of plans to meet.

The family’s concerns grew when she failed to show up to work later that evening.

“She had never missed a day of work,” said Bear.

The missing woman’s cell phone was turned off at around 10:00 a.m. that morning.

Otero’s boyfriend, whom she’s allegedly only met on Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, was also surprised by Otero’s sudden absence, according to Otero’s stepsister, Chelsea.

“He’s pretty devastated,” she said.

Chelsea added that her stepsister was “grappling with a lot” and “she was feeling depressed,” yielding fears that Otero might have wanted to harm herself.

Otero worked at the Mission Ave Bar & Grill in Oceanside, according to CBS 8. The establishment posted on Facebook, pleading for answers.

“Please help,” the downtown restaurant posted. “Celeste, part of out Mission crew, has been reported missing and was last seen on Jan. 28.”

Relatives say Otero was an active part of the Oceanside community.

“She loves and is energized by groups of people, and she’ll go out of her way to strike up a conversation with anyone,” Bear told CBS 8. “She was active in [the] fire spinning community. And quite a few local scenes up in Oceanside and Ocean Beach as well.”

Otero's father, Greg Otero, posted a photo on Facebook, pleading for the public’s help.

“To my entire family, to my friends, to the friends of my daughter, and to everyone else out there that is helping to find Sara Celeste, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your efforts,” he posted. “Hope of her return is still very much alive.”

Otero had a history of substance abuse but had allegedly maintained sobriety for the past two years, relatives said, according to Fox News. Though she was known to be reclusive from time to time, her lack of contact is out of character.

“To be missing for a few days and not answering family, that’s just never happened before,” said Bear. “You’re loved. You’re cared for. Your family just wants to know that you’re safe and sound.”

Police say Sara Otero is 5’6” and 130 pounds with blue eyes and long brown hair. She has a flower tattoo on her arm and Winnie the Pooh on her ankle. The words “It’s in our nature” are also tattooed on her right bicep. She was last seen wearing a green military-style jacket and bronze-colored leggings, and wears glasses. She may be traveling in a charcoal gray Suburb Outback with California license plate number 7GAB955.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oceanside Police Department at 1-760-435-4900.

Relatives did not immediately respond to requests made by Oxygen.com.