Tearful Vigil Held For Missing San Bernardino Student
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — As San Bernardino police continue to look for a missing 22-year-old graphics design student, her friends and classmates held a tearful and emotional candlelight vigil for her Friday evening.
Sahray Astina Barber was last seen five days ago.
Her family and friends vowed to step up the search to find her.
KCAL9's Jasmine Viel reported from the vigil, held at the art school Barber attends.
More than 200 students gathered outside the Art Institute of California's campus library, a fitting location because it's also where Barber works.
Viel said many tears fell as Barber's Victorville pastor and former high school teacher led the group in prayer.
"I can't magine what her family's going through," said one woman.
Word of the vigil spread quickly through social media.
"Sahray keep your head up and know that everyone is searching for you. We love you, we can't wait to hold you in our arms again," said Barber's father, Stephen.
Her worried family wore purple, Sahray's favorite color, and thanked everyone for their support.
Their pain was evident, Viel reported.
"At age 22, Sahray still calls me daddy and it still melts my heart," her father said.
Barber was last seen early Monday morning by her roommates, who told police they saw her leave for work.
The roommates did not show up for the vigil. Her parents said they have kept their distance.
Barber's laptop and belongings were later found in bushes by her apartment across from Cal State San Bernardino.
"It is those prayers [from friends] that keep me strong," said her mother, Radena. "Those prayers allow me to stand here and not in a puddle of tears."
Intense air and ground searches this week have turned up nothing.
"She was always there for me; she's one of my biggest role models. I look up to her," said Barber's sister, Victory.
Buttons with Barber's photo on them were passed out.
A Facebook page has been created called "Where's Sahray?" The group has close to 500 members.
Viel reported that students are planning to join the search. In the meantime, the school has sent out alerts to students and notices with advice on how they can keep themselves safe.
