Family Of Missing Thermal Woman Speaks Out

Unable to eat or sleep for weeks, Juana Manuel of Thermal said she has hope that her 19-year-old daughter, Maria Rafael, is still alive.

Investigators told Rafael’s parents on Monday that although Maria’s body hasn’t been found, they have additional evidence indicating that she was a victim of foul play and is presumed dead.

“At this moment we have to be ready for good things and bad things right?” said Alejandra Zamora, the victim’s cousin.

Rafael was last seen Monday, March 5, sitting at the bus stop bench at the College of the Desert Mecca campus. Police said she has braces on her top and bottom teeth and was last seen wearing an unknown-color short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black flat-style shoes.

The single mother leaves behind her 3-year-old daughter, who is now staying with the victim’s family.

“She wanted to raise her daughter and go to school and be somebody in life,” said Zamora.

Police are now seeking an arrest warrant for 23-year-old Jose Eduardo Ochoa of Thermal. Rafael was in a custody battle with Ochoa, the father of her child. Ochoa was last seen leaving his home on March 7, in his white Acura Legend, just two days after Rafael disappeared.

“I’m not trying to accuse anyone directly, but my heart tells me it was my daughter’s ex-boyfriend,” said Manuel.

Manuel begs for the community’s help in finding her daughter. Also, for the suspect to “tell us where you have her, don’t put us through this agony. Think about your daughter. Don’t take her mother away seeing that she’s your own blood,” said the victim’s mother.

If you have any information, call Valley Crime Stoppers 760-341-STOP. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a $1,000 reward.