The mother of the woman last seen with the primary suspect in last Friday’s shooting homicide spoke out Tuesday and claimed her daughter had been kidnapped.
Rocio Ibarra, the mother of Vanessa Flores, contended her daughter had been kidnapped by the shooting homicide suspect, Jose Barajas. The mother also said Flores and Barajas had dated for a “brief period of time” and she alleged Barajas had abused her verbally and physically during that time.
She said family and friends were praying for a safe return of Flores. Following Friday’s shooting homicide of Ariana Zendejas, 19, Flores was seen with Barajas. Police reported it is unknown if Barajas, 20, held Flores, 20, against her will.
“To the kidnapper, my family and I are begging you to please release my daughter,” Ibarra said to media at a press conference assembled outside the family home in Hollister. “If you love her, give her the opportunity to reach out to her family. She should be getting ready for her first semester at Cabrillo College, but instead we are here wondering where she is, praying every night for her safe return.”
The mother said she could not “sit here in silence” as her daughter’s reputation has come into question.
“It is true they dated for a brief period of time,” she said. “However, after repeatedly being victimized through severe verbal and physical abuse, my daughter stood up for herself and decided to terminate the relationship.”
Ibarra urged people with information to call authorities.
“I just want my daughter to be found and brought home safe and unharmed,” she said.
She offered thoughts on the shooting victim’s family as well.
“As I close, I want to take this opportunity to send my deepest condolences to the Zendejas family,” she said.
Police officials could not be reached immediately to respond.
