With few tips and no sign of a Fullerton couple reported missing on Mother's Day, volunteers will resume the ground search next weekend.
Cecil "Paul" Knutson, 79 and Dianna Bedwell, 67 were last seen leaving Valley View Casino in a white 2014 Hyundai Sonata at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The couple was heading toward Coachella Valley, according to Bedwell’s daughter, Debbie Apple. Cecil is her stepfather of 30 years. She said the family called Knutson “Paul.”
“We just feel there is something out there we’re missing,” Apple said. “We just think there’s somebody out there who could help us somehow.”
“Please help us,” she said crying. “Help us find them so we can put an end to this horrible nightmare we’re in the middle of right now.”
At a candlelight vigil Sunday, family members joined volunteers who have been searching Valley Center to pray for answers.
Julie Michael with Team Amber Rescue volunteers said the group has walked or driven every possible route imaginable. They’ve searched from Indio to Borrego. Every dirt road, paved road and even driveways and Indian land where given permission, Michael said.
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This week, volunteers say they are hoping to get wall-sized maps from Valley View Casino so they can target new search areas beginning this weekend.
Michael said there have been just a few tips and the number of volunteers helping in the search has varied between 10 to 50 on different days.
"There really are no clues," Michael said adding that they only know the couple turned left leaving the casino parking lot.
"That's the biggest challenge we're facing is that there absolutely nothing to go on," she said.
Volunteers will regroup and resume searching on Saturday.
Investigators with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department or Riverside County Sheriff's Department have helped in the search.
The Fullerton residents were scheduled to go to their son's home in La Quinta Mother's Day. When they didn't show up, their son, Robert Acosta, called the authorities.
Knutson and Bedwell are diabetic and dependent on insulin.
Their vehicle has the California license 7EHE981.
Anyone with information is asked to call (858) 565-5200.
