Divers searched golf course ponds on Monday for a Los Angeles man with ties to San Diego who traveled to the Coachella Valley for work last week before disappearing, deputies said.
Omar Arce Meza, 33, a vice president with AIG Financial Distributors who was traveling for work, was last seen at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert around 11 p.m. Thursday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
He failed to show up for scheduled business meetings Friday and was reported missing.
"I just really want the community to keep an eye out for him," his wife, Diane Meza, said.
Meza spoke to her husband, who was born and raised in San Diego, as he left a dinner with colleagues in Palm Desert. He said he would call her when he got to his hotel.
"One of his co-workers put him in an Uber cab. The intention was to send him to his hotel. I think there was probably some confusion on which Marriott to go to," Diane Meza said. "He was absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. He made everything better."
Omar was staying at the Courtyard by Marriott, but security cameras captured him walking out of the Marriott Desert Springs Resort instead. His jacket and wallet were found on the resort's golf course.
The sheriff's department brought in bloodhounds, which pointed in the direction of water traps on the golf course, but his family said he was a strong swimmer.
Divers continued to search the murky pond and water traps on the course Monday, while his family handed out missing person's fliers and prayed for his safe return.
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"Right now we're desperately looking for Omar. We miss him. He was my only brother so it's definitely very heartbreaking," said Sven Meza, his brother.
Omar's childhood friend and college roommate, Gustavo De La Mora, said this disappearance is completely out of character for him. He believes an underlying medical condition could be a factor.
"He had a car accident where he suffered a concussion, memory loss and some lasting damage," said De La Mora. " I know his wife is hopeful he's having an episode where he can't recall something."
He said if Omar left Palm Desert in some disoriented state, he may end up in the San Diego area because his parents still live in Bonita.
Meza was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 160 pounds. He was wearing gray pants and a white shirt when he was last seen.
Anyone with information or who may have seen Meza is asked to call the Palm Desert Sheriff’s station at 760-836-1600.
