Daughter of missing woman finds peace after body found

The daughter of the woman who was missing for more than two years speaks about the discovery of her mother’s body.

Just over a week ago, off-roaders discovered Carla Ruth Reyes’ body off Highway 177 in a secluded location.

Thursday Reyes’ daughter remembered her mother and tried to come to terms with her loss.

“I guess peace of mind would be that because I don’t know if it’s ever closed,” Carla’s daughter Crystal Sunday, said.

Sunday described the feeling of missing someone you love.

“You think you can sympathize, but you can’t. You are angry because they just left. You’re sad because you don’t get to see them again and you don’t know if you ever will, you’re frustrated because you’ve looked everywhere you thought possible,” Sunday said.

Since her mother’s disappearance Crystal always knew her mother would be found.

“My gut feeling says in her car, at the bottom of a ravine or some covered-up area that only a hiker is going to find her,” Sunday said.

Her gut feeling unfortunately was correct.

Her 52-year-old mother was found dead in her car in a deserted area.

Sunday said if it wasn’t for the hikers she would never know what happened.

“I thank those off-roaders that decided to go hiking that found her, I thank them with the bottom of my heart. But I’m sorry for what they found,” Sunday said.

While cause of death has yet to be determined, Crystal said her mother’s demons might have taken over.

“I truly believe the medication she took with her is what she took with her to go to sleep,” Sunday said.

But she doesn’t want her mom to be remembered that way.

“She was loved by everybody. I don’t think I’ve met anybody who had anything bad to say about her and I want my mom to be remembered for all the good stuff she did and not her own demons,” Sunday said.

Sunday said she’s still numb, but knowing her mother’s fate is better than living the rest of her life wondering what happened.

Crystal said the family will be holding a memorial for Carla at Wiefuls in Yucca Valley, on Friday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.

She said anyone who knew her mom is welcome.