PORTLAND, Ore. — A California family made the 10-hour drive to Portland this week, after they received a devastating call that their 28-year-old daughter, Wilma Acosta, was missing.
"We got a call early Sunday, probably about 11:30, and her friends said she never came back to her apartment," said Martin Acosta, Wilma Acosta's father.
Martin Acosta said his daughter was out with friends Saturday night into Sunday morning. She was at the Dixie Tavern in Old Town and left the bar alone after 2 a.m.
He said on Sunday afternoon, Wilma's friends tracked the location of her phone three blocks away from the tavern to the Japanese American Historical Plaza along the Willamette River. They found her phone, but they didn't find Wilma.
"It's something we never thought would happen," Martin Acosta said. "It's very heartbreaking."
The Acosta family spent Wednesday walking the streets of Portland, passing out flyers with Wilma's picture.
Martin Acosta said his daughter moved to Portland a few months ago after falling in love with the Pacific Northwest and accepting a job at Kaiser Permanente. He said Wilma was artistic and spent her free time in the kitchen learning to make new dishes that she could share with friends.
Portland Police are investigating Wilma's disappearance and say she was dressed in black the last time she was seen. She's about 5 feet, 5 inches, with tattoos and piercings.
"I love her; she’s my only daughter," Martin Acosta said. "I want her back. That’s all."
As of Dec. 15, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement that despite over 100 hours of interviewing witnesses and looking through security footage, there are no answers.
"During her walk, it does not appear that Wilma engaged with any other people. Ultimately, PPB’s evidence shows Wilma leaving the bar by herself and arriving at the seawall by herself," the statement said. "PPB detectives do not suspect foul play in Wilma’s disappearance."
If anyone has information, contact Portland police at missing@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-306375.