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Search for missing Coachella Valley couple now in sixth month

Published April 30, 2019 4:32 PM

It’s now been half a year since 28-year-old Jonathan “Darling” Reynoso and 26-year-old Audrey Moran went missing, with little information from detectives. Many unanswered questions remain.

The couple was last traced along the interstate 10 freeway near a Beaumont exit six months ago.

No one has heard from them since.

Their families say as more time passes, the harder the journey becomes.

“As soon as I wake up, my eyes open, and it’s like your first thought is, you know, ‘am I going to see my son again,'” said James Darling, Jonathan’s father.

“When I wake in the nights in the morning, first thing on my mind is her, and I’m thinking, ‘what happened,'” said Maria Moran, Audrey’s mom.

Two families faced with the unimaginable.

Both parents sad they are doing their best to be patient during the investigation.

“To have this happen and just be in the dark of what happened. it’s, it’s hard. it’s really hard to deal with,” said James said.

James tries to keep busy, but he says this new lifestyle is unexplainable.

“To be the person that something happened to is different than what you see on tv, where people are going through trials and tribulations,” James said. “It’s so much easier to turn it off and go on and you’re in your own life again, but with this, there is no off button. There are questions and there are more questions, there’s no way to shut it off, it’s not a reality show,”

It’s a feeling he shares with Torres. She still texts Jonathan, hoping he’ll text back one day. Just yesterday, he finally received a reply.

“Sorry Im not your son,” the text read.

Torres said her stomach took a leap when she got the text.

But Torres believes, someone else now has Jonathan’s old number.

KESQ/CBS Local 2’s Lauren Coronado caught up with Audrey’s mom, Maria, during her lunch break. It’s not your average break, but its become part of her weekly routine.

Mailing out bracelets with Audrey and Jonathan’s names on it across the country. Maria doesn’t know the people she’s sending the bracelets to but says she receives requests from people wanting to help spread the word.

As each month passes, the couple’s parents have one wish, having their children back home for the holidays.

“I just pray that people continue to support us and pray that they’re home for the holidays. That’s major, major,” Maria said.

“I’d give anything for it. I would give anything for that right now, just to go shopping and not think about what you’re going to get him. It’s crazy. I miss my boy,” James said.

The couple’s family continue to stress, any tip can help bring the pair home.

If you have any information, contact the missing person tip-line at 760-393-3544.

WATCH: I-Team investigation into search for missing couple

Six-month timeline of the disappearance of Jonathan and Audrey.

May 10: The last time anyone is in contact with 26-year-old Audrey Moran and 28-year-old Jonathan “Darling” Reynoso. According to police, Moran was last seen at her sister’s house around 8 p.m. Indio police say she left to meet Jonathan at an unknown location between Coachella and Imperial County. A photo was sent from Moran’s phone to family, but it was not taken that Wednesday night. Both, Moran and Reynoso’s phones are off. May 11: Indio police located Audrey’s car using On-Star. The car was found on the side of the I-10 freeway. Bloodhounds picked up a scent near the car. “No forced entry on the vehicle, no signs of forced entry in the vehicle, no blood or anything like that,” said Sgt Dan Marshall of the Indio Police Department.

May 12: Moran and Reynoso are officially reported missing. Indio police investigate Moran’s case while Palm Desert Sheriff’s look into Reynoso’s case. Day 5, Reynoso’s mother, Mayra Torres, makes her first public plea for help. Read: Mother of missing man handing out flyers to spread the word Day 7, Torres starts writing letters to Jonathan on Facebook. Thousands share her posts gaining national attention. May 18, missing person’s flyers are printed and distributed. Day 13, Moran’s parents open up for the first time.

Watch: Parents of missing Coachella Valley woman speak out for first time May 25, a candle light vigil to pray for the pair’s return. June 10 marks one month since the couple’s disappearance. A $10,000 reward is offered to anyone with information on the couple’s whereabouts. Day 45, the La Quinta Brewing Company hosts a fundraiser to increase the reward. The next day, a man who goes by Aaron claims in an online comment that he knows where Moran and Reynoso are, police investigate. Read: Local business holds fundraiser for missing couple Day 51, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Central Homicide Unit take over the case 2 months pass without any trace of the two

“Good morning Mija, today is July 10, 2 months since we’ve heard from you. it’s amazing that we haven’t heard from your or Jon.” – Maria Moran

The third-month hits, a novena, a series of prayers, start in the couple’s honor in Mexico. Friends still desperately looking for answers.

“There has to be someone who knows something” – Bertha, Audrey’s friend

“They may not be with us anymore, even if it’s that, we just want to know.” – Arturo, Jonathan’s friend.

Zippy Copy in Cathedral City creates business cards with the images of the missing couple. 4-months since Reynoso and Moran were last seen The families of the missing couple hold a fundraiser at Stuft Pizza at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert. Proceeds goes towards search efforts.

5-months: Audrey Moran’s mother continues ordering and mailing out bracelets with their names and a tip-line number.

Anyone with any details on the couple’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, you can call their missing person’s tip line at 760-393-3544.

You can help the Moran and Reynoso and the Torres families with search efforts by donating on their YouCaring page.