Brother of Missing Newport Beach Woman Asks for Search Volunteers

Erika Lopez has been missing for more than two weeks and has since been spotted in Huntington Beach, but those searching for her have still come up empty-handed.

Lopez, 24, of Newport Beach, was last seen Aug. 23 in the area of Sherrington Place and Irvine Avenue. Her brother, Anthony Desousa, traveled from Boston to Newport Beach last week to search for her. The searches have been conducted every day, starting as early as 5 a.m. and continuing throughout the night. Lopez's family members and friends, as well as residents, have been handing out fliers, talking to local businesses and looking among the homeless community for her.

"There have been some sightings of Erika. The last one was Saturday in Huntington Beach near the pier," said Desousa, 21. "A woman saw her and told us we missed her by an hour."

Desousa says his sister suffers from bipolar disorder and had stopped taking her medication in the days before her disappearance.

"She was off her medications, and little by little she started to deteriorate. She lost her job, her car, cell phone, and she didn't renew her lease, so she was basically forced out of her apartment, and that was the last time she was seen," he said.

Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said there are no new updates regarding Lopez and said the investigation into her whereabouts is ongoing.

Lopez's family said she moved to Newport Beach about 2½ years ago to be with her boyfriend, whom she has since broken up with. She lived alone in an apartment.

Lopez is Hispanic, 5 feet tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She has shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, a thin build and was last seen wearing a pink sweatshirt and white sweatpants.

"We need more people to help be our eyes and ears. She is a tiny woman out there on the streets on her own," Desousa said. "I'll be here in Newport Beach until I find her."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newport Beach Police Detective Scott Smith at 949-644-3762. If you are interested in helping Lopez's family search for her, call Desousa at 857-294-4308.