PORTLAND, Ore. — April 26, 2024 marks Cristina Ase's birthday. The date also marks one month since her disappearance.
On what should be a joyous day of celebration, Ase's colleagues and close friends gathered in Southeast Portland for a vigil, hoping for her safe return home.
"I’m sure if she was here today, we would’ve been celebrating with her at work, having some special food and celebrating," said Jennifer Williams. "It was a hard day at work today."
Many in attendance at Glenwood Park Friday night drove from Rose Linn Care Center in West Linn, where Ase works as nursing director.
"Driving here was kind of... kind of gave me a chill just being in this area and knowing that this was the last place her phones were signaled," Williams said.
Ase disappeared on March 26. Her husband and boss reported her missing.
Vancouver police initially called her disappearance 'suspicious' and 'far outside' of her normal pattern behavior. Since then, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) uncovered new details through a search warrant process, leading one detective to write: "There is probable cause to believe that Cristina's sudden disappearance is related to a serious crime or imminently dangerous medical emergency."
After leaving for work in her car on March 26 and going missing, Ase's car 'mysteriously' turned back up the next day. It was parked outside her apartment complex near her residence, according to the VPD search warrant.
Detectives said there appeared to be a "powdery white residue — like a cleaning agent — coating several surfaces on the interior."
"It's really hard not having any answers, not understanding what happened to her," Williams said, "We really need to find answers and figure out where she is."
"It was like she was just ripped from us, from her life, from everything," said Matthew Shempert, who also works with Ase, "It's important that we do what we can for her."
One month after her sudden disappearance, the group in the park lit candles — not only on the cake but in the hands of those who hold Ase dear.
"We want Cristina to know that we love her, we miss her, and wherever she is... We are going to continue fighting to bring her home. We will never give up," said Sandy Hayden.
Vancouver police are asking anyone who knows Ase, had contact with her in the past few weeks or might know something about her disappearance, to please contact them. The department asks community members to email Detective Nicholson at Jason.nicholson@cityofvancouver.us or Sergeant Ballou at Julie.ballou@cityofvancouver.us with any information.