Detectives Find Vehicle Belonging to California Mom Who Mysteriously Disappeared

A 2005 Infinity G35 coupe has been found belonging to missing mom Heather Gumina (R) in El Dorado County, Calif., on August 9, 2019. (El Dorado County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Authorities recovered the vehicle owned by a Northern Californian mother who was reported missing weeks ago on Aug. 9.

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) confirmed it has found the black coupe owned by Heather Gumina, whose family reported her missing since July 16 in the Pleasant Valley area, 53 miles east of Sacramento.

Detectives located Gumina’s black 2005 Infinity G35 about 27 miles east of Pleasant Valley in the El Dorado County area.

“[The vehicle] is being forensically processed for evidence,” EDSO said in a statement. “Heather Gumina’s current whereabouts are still unknown.”

Detectives are still asking members of the public to come forward with any information to help find Gumina, also known as Heather Waters, who continues to be missing.

“We are hopeful that someone in the community has information regarding Heather or her vehicle,” EDSO said on Facebook.

The mother and her coupe were last seen on July 16.

“[She] has not been heard from since,” EDSO said on Facebook. “Heather’s vehicle, a 2005 black Infiniti coupe with pink bow stickers, is also missing.”

Supporters have set up a Gofundme page to help care for Gumina’s 4-year-old-son and 13-year-old daughter until they are reunited with their mother.

“This money is purely for sustaining until Heather is found and they can return to work, especially for her kiddos that miss their mom tremendously,” the fundraising team said on behalf of Melody Russell. “Expenses/bills start to pile up ... let’s help this family just desperate to find their daughter, mom, sister, friend, wife.”

At least $450 was raised towards the $3,000 goal at the time of publication.

“Thank you all for your shares and donations, I know Heather’s family appreciates it,” fundraising team member Monika Gleason said in an update. “A search group is starting to be organized. Hopefully, [we are] one step closer to finding Heather.”

The sheriff’s office has fielded a high number of comments with updates for the case through social media. However, detectives indicated their preference is for concerned citizens to phone EDSO or send a message instead of just commenting on social media posts.

“There are many comments requesting updates to this case ... leaving information in the comment section is not as helpful as there are many comments to search through,” EDSO said on Facebook. “If you have any information on Heather’s whereabouts, please contact us or send us a message ... we do not provide details on what exactly occurs during an active investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective J. Sargent by phoning 530-642-4714 or sending a private message through Facebook.