A British tourist has been reported missing while on a solo trip to California, prompting concern from her family and local authorities. Katherine Esther Gamboa Kerwood, 21, was last heard from on April 3, after she texted her family during her travels.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/sfo-international-airport-san-francisco-040726-8ea372e79f9c4debbb0987579ae1cea3.jpg)
Kerwood arrived at San Francisco International Airport on March 31, with plans to visit some of California’s most popular attractions, including Santa Cruz, Sacramento, and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. However, her family is now worried after she failed to check into a hostel in Sacramento, where she indicated she would be staying.
According to her father, there is security footage from the airport that shows her meeting a man holding flowers shortly after her arrival. This individual, referred to only as David, is believed to have been previously acquainted with Kerwood during her time in the UK. Family members expressed their concerns when they did not receive any communication from her after her last text.
On April 3, Kerwood sent a message to her family, suggesting a phone call. However, she did not respond when they attempted to arrange a conversation, a situation described by family friend Ali Zaidi as unusual for the normally communicative young woman. Zaidi stated, “Generally, she is very responsive,” heightening concerns over her sudden disappearance.
Kerwood was due to fly back to London on April 8, but with her whereabouts unknown, her family has sought assistance from both the San Francisco Police Department and UK authorities. Officials have acknowledged the case and have entered Kerwood’s details into a statewide law enforcement database, enabling police across California to be on the lookout for her.
A media appeal for information has been made, but as of Sunday, no substantial leads have emerged in the investigation. Local authorities have intensified their efforts, urging anyone who might have information regarding Kerwood’s whereabouts to come forward. The case has garnered significant media attention, with both local and national news outlets closely following developments.
Neither the San Francisco Police Department nor the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has provided detailed comments regarding the status of the investigation or the specifics of the missing person report.
As Katherine’s family awaits news, they maintain hope for a safe return. Friends and relatives have rallied around them during this distressing time, sharing updates and urging the public to remain vigilant. The situation continues to unfold, and updates will be necessary as authorities work to find the young woman.