SANTA CRUZ, Calif.- A state wide search intensifies for missing Santa Cruz woman Deanna Brooks, who vanished on her way to San Diego about a week and a half ago. Over this past weekend, her son took to the sky in helicopter, scanning up and down the Central Coast in Watsonville, Salinas, Castroville, even San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.
It's a developing story we've been following since the antiques dealer went missing. She was supposed to show up to a family event, but never made it. Her family worries she could have had health problems, or may be lost.
Santa Cruz Police said in missing adult cases, the search is treated differently than it would be for a child.
"Typically we would suspect foul play or some other issue of concern to consider them an at-risk missing person," said Deputy Chief Steve Clark.
Family and friends said other than the possibility of dealing with some health issues, they don't have any reason to believe Brooks is in danger. Which is good thing, but it's also frustrating because they aren't getting as much help.
"We're very sad because we'd like to have some information, know what's happened to her," said Michael Reedy, a co-worker at Attilia's Antiques in Soquel.
We spoke with her son, Stirling Flynn when Brooks first disappeared and he said it's just not like her to go this long without talking to someone. Police said so far they've gone above and beyond what they normally do in an adult missing persons' case.
"For instance we've tracked her bank account, we've tried to ping her cell phone, to locate her. We're in the process this morning of trying to get a court order on another bank account we discovered," Clark said.
Officers said in the case of Deanna Brooks, they need a really good lead, like a recent transaction on her bank account or a location on her car, to send out a search and rescue team.
"This is a really difficult case because right now she is a voluntary missing adult. She is missing of her own choice or her own volition. At least that's what we have to operate under," Clark said.
Police said she was driving a 2003 PT Cruiser, champagne in color, with the license plate 5EEV387. If you know anything, call your local authorities.
