Son Of Missing Local Woman: 'For Her To Just Vanish Is Odd'

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The family of Janice "Nomi" Kent, 69, has not given up its search for her after she was last seen Feb. 24, her car found in a turnout across from Cement Plant Road in Davenport with her belongings still inside. It's not like her to disappear, family said.

Posters with Janice Kent's face and tip line information are plastered from Monterey to Davenport, in cafes, on streets and more, her son said.

Kent said his mom was last seen around 12:30 p.m. at the Davenport Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn wearing a black shirt, a black hooded exercise jacket that falls below her waist, light blue jeans and size 9 black New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi Volume 2 sneakers.

Kent's mom had a $13 charge to her credit card at the Davenport Roadhouse, according to her banking records. She was last heard from around 2 p.m. when she sent a message, according to her phone records, family said.

Janice Kent was very close with her family and would not be the type to leave without saying goodbye, her son said. At the time of her disappearance she lived with her daughter, helping her out with child care.

"It just is weird that she just isn't around," her son said. "It just seems very not like her to do that."

Her money and keys were found in her car, which is normally what she does before heading to the beach, family said. He said his mom has a tendency to spend hours on the beach and lose her belongings in the sand, so her family asks her to leave her keys and wallet behind, but take her cell phone.

There is little cell reception in the area, family said.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office deployed helicopters, drones, dogs, volunteers on foot in a very thorough investigation, Kent said. Deputies continued looking for her in the days after she went missing to no avail.

"There's no sign at all," her son said.

Witnesses said Janice Kent seemed normal when she stopped by the Davenport Roadhouse and was talking to others at the establishment, family said. She reportedly asked for a recommendation of a nearby spot with a good view and someone suggested she drive up to the Davenport Cement Plant area where her car was found, family said.

She drove a little ways up the road — about a 10 minute walk, her son said. That's where her car was found.

Getting to the nearby beach involves a hike down a steep cliff, Kent said. It's not like his mom to do something like that, he said.

Janice Kent is a sweet, easygoing, mellow, family-oriented and laid-back person who loves the beach, Kent said. She is familiar with the Davenport area.

"For her to just vanish is odd ... (to) not even say goodbye," he said.

Photos of Janice Kent and her car's last location can be found in the photo gallery above.

Anyone who may have seen her that day or since should call the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office tip line at 831-454-7631. Anyone who sees her should call 911.

Kent can be reached at 415-702-0525.