Family To Conduct Search For Missing Hayward Woman
HAYWARD (CBS SF) -- Family members of a Hayward woman who's been missing for 10 days will conduct a search for her at several Bay Area locations on Saturday, a relative said Friday.
Samantha Tuia, 29, was last seen leaving her home in the 27800 block of Havana Avenue in Hayward shortly before noon on Feb. 19 and was reported missing by her family the next day.
Hayward police Sgt. Eric Krimm said police haven't found any indications of criminal activity but Tuia's disappearance "is concerning as her family reports she has never done this before."
Krimm said police "have no leads at this time as to Tuia's whereabouts" but her cousin, Monalisa Billy, said family members have received two leads suggesting that her disappearance is "BART-related."
Because of that, Billy said the family's search effort will start at the Daly City BART station at 7 a.m. Saturday and then expand to San Francisco, Oakland and Hayward.
"We will ride BART lines and go by foot and by car and go all over the Bay Area," Billy said.
Before the search begins, the family will host a prayer meeting at the First Congregational Church of Samoa at 1670 Annie St. in Daly City at 5 a.m. Saturday followed by a light breakfast at 6 a.m. and organization and instruction of search groups at 6:30 a.m.
In addition, Tuia's family is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
Billy said Tuia, who has a 6-year-old daughter and depends on family members financially, often walked to a nearby corner store.
Billy said Tuia's family is concerned someone is taking advantage of her because she often is too trustworthy and easily manipulated, and has a "childlike" demeanor and intellect.
According to Hayward police, Tuia's family believes she has an undiagnosed mental condition.
Tuia is described as a Samoan woman standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 230 pounds with a thick and heavy build and short black hair usually worn in a bun.
She was last seen in Hayward wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, black shoes and a gray hooded sweater with a red jacket over the sweater.
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