A family is holding out hope, more than a month after an Orange County woman went missing after a Valentine’s Day date.
The family of Erica Alonso gathered Friday night to keep hope that she will be found safe.
"I just want my daughter back," said Margarita Alonso of her daughter. "I really miss her, I don't know what to do without her."
Erica Alonso was last seen at her boyfriend’s home in Irvine. She has not been heard from since, and her car has not been found.
Family members spoke one by one to the crowd of hundreds gathered at a park in Irvine, all praying for answers.
"We couldn’t hear each other and I texted her and I was like, ‘Nevermind, have fun and be safe,’" recalled Erica's older sister and best friend, Patricia, remembering her last conversation and text message with Erica on Valentine's night.
Orange County Sheriff’s investigators said after a night out at Club Sutra in Costa Mesa, Erica vanished from her on-again-off-again boyfriend's home in Irvine after an argument.
She may have left his home, in her white 2014 Honda Civic, which is also still missing.
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Everyone, including close friend Arlette Salazar, agree, it's unlike Erica not to be on social media or her cellphone.
"I know she’s in trouble and she needs our help."
