FRESNO, Calif. — The disappearance of three Mariposa women in a span of just seven months has community members on edge on social media.
The most recent case was reported on Tuesday to authorities.
Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese says two of the cases have now turned into homicide investigations.
He says the third woman is still out there, somewhere.
But the first that comes to mind is, are the cases connected? Sheriff Briese confirmed on Wednesday, that they are not.
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He also wanted to clear up rumors circulating online that have created panic in the community.
The department shares that if at any time they feel there is a threat, the community will be notified.
In the most recent case, detectives have been trying to track down Laura Coventry of Mariposa, who was last seen on July 3rd in Yosemite cleaning vacation rentals.
She was reported missing Tuesday after she missed several days from work, and nobody could reach her.
They said it was very unlike Laura and detectives began the search right away.
Sheriff Briese said, “Fortunately, with this investigation, it was quick and we’re making some good progress.”
She was spotted in Fresno County on July 8th. Surveillance footage captured Laura and her canine Lexi shopping at a grocery store.
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Detectives were also able to confirm her identity, with the card she used to buy the items at the store.
However, the department will continue to have her as a missing person in the system until they can reach her.
We’re going to continue our investigations until we can get a face-to-face contact and that we can have a conversation… if she’s freely or willingly, you know, traveling about the state.
Deputies have been working with the family to figure out where she may be headed next.
They say she mentioned something about relocating to Southern California.
“For Laura, if you hear this message, please call us or let us know where you’re at so we can have that local jurisdiction come and talk to you and make sure that everything is fine and that you’re safe,” said Sheriff Briese.
As for the two other missing person cases, details are limited.
60-year-old Barbara Barnett was last seen on March 25th in her home, in the Bootjack area in Mariposa County.
She is known to walk along Highway 49 south corridor between Triangle Road and the town of Mariposa.
She is described as white, 5’5 tall, weighs 200 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes.
39-year-old crystal Blackburn was last seen in the area of Mt. Bullion leaving her home on December 29, 2023.
She is described as white, 5’3 tall, weighs 160 pounds, has red hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black boots.
“We are continuing to do a lot of work and so and we will continue to work every single day until we get some sort of resolution to those cases,” he said.
In both homicide cases, detectives are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to their discovery.
If you have any information regarding all three cases, you are asked to call the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
You can also submit an anonymous tip on the department’s app.