LOS ANGELES—The family of missing 22-year-old female Bree’Anna Jovette Guzman is to mark the one month anniversary of her disappearance with a candlelight and prayer vigil on the evening of Thursday, January 26. The mother of two girls who also goes by the name “Bree” was last seen on Monday, December 26 at approximately 7:30pm at her home on the 2300 block of Humboldt Street in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles when she went to buy cough drops at a local drugstore.
A previous interview conducted by Canyon News with Guzman’s mother Darlene Duran that discusses the full details of the events surrounding her daughter’s disappearance can be viewed here.
This will be the second vigil held this week after one took place on the evening of Tuesday, January 24 at the Food 4 Less in El Sereno where Duran and other participants posted flyers of Guzman throughout the neighborhood. Vigils for Guzman have been held by her family every Tuesday since their daughter’s disappearance on December 26.
In a new interview with Duran, Canyon News has learned a new detective has been assigned to her daughter’s case. Duran also says that Los Angeles Police Department detectives working the case have yet to disclose any information to her or the family but have said they are following up on any leads they receive. Guzman’s mother believes the lack of disclosure by detectives is so the case is not “jeopardized.”
While no new information has emerged in Guzman’s case, Duran and family friends including the community has been working to bring about progress in the case. “Praying for Bree’Anna Guzman,” is a Facebook group setup by Duran that currently stands at 740 members. A description of the group states: “Bring Bree home! Offering support for Bree and her family thru prayer and positive thoughts.” Announcements about vigils and well wishes from friends and family of Guzman have been posted on this page which can be accessed at www.facebook.com/groups/296379707080062/
In the area Guzman calls home, one of the first topics discussed at the Thursday, January 19 Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council meeting was an announcement about Duran’s daughter from one of the council members and LAPD Officer Pedroze of the Hollenbeck Community Police Station (which includes Lincoln Heights). In addition, the L.A. City Council has made announcements during their meetings.
Duran also reveals to Canyon News that L.A. Councilman Ed Reyes’ (who represents Lincoln Heights) office had planned to put some money into a trust fund that would be used as reward money to help spur a break in her daughter’s case. However, Duran says there has been no contact from the councilman’s office since speaking with one of Reyes’ employees on Thursday, January 19.
Money also has become a concern for Duran and her family. Guzman was the main provider for the family working at Flox Shop in Glendale before she disappeared. Duran, whose background is in accounting, bookkeeping and administrative work, is currently seeking employment to help provide for the family including her daughter’s two young girls.
Guzman, who is a 2007 graduate of Thomas Riley High School in L.A. and recently attended a culinary school in Pasadena, is described as a female Hispanic with black hair, brown eyes and braces. She stands 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighs about 110 pounds, and was last seen wearing a blue jacket, pink shirt and blue jeans. She also has a tattoo on the back of her neck and a pierced lower lip.
Anyone with information about Guzman and her whereabouts is urged to contact LAPD Detective James King at (213) 486-6890 or the LAPD Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) 527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “Webtips” and follow the instructions.
