Benicia father desperately searches for missing daughter last seen in Martinez

MARTINEZ, Calif. (KTVU) - A Benicia man is desperately searching for his adult daughter who has been reported as a missing person. 

Sidney Avant, 24, was last seen on September 17.  Her father, Robert Avant, told KTVU she left a hospital in Martinez and called some friends to try to get a ride. She was later seen at the Martinez Amtrak station. Nobody has heard from her since. 

“We have completely lost contact with her,” said Robert Avant. “She hasn’t contacted any friends or any family members. She hasn’t been on any social media or anything like that.”

Avant has checked shelters, hospitals, and homeless encampments all over the Bay Area.

Saturday, he passed out flyers at a homeless encampment off Sycamore Drive in Antioch. He has received tips and possible sightings, but still has not found his daughter. Avant says she suffers from addiction and mental health issues, but this is completely out of character. 

“No matter how bad things have gotten for her she always lets somebody know where she is,” said Avant. 

A few of Avant’s longtime friends helped canvas a shopping center in Antioch. The group posted signs in business windows and spoke with neighbors.  
“He has been at this by himself since September 17th doing everything he can do as a dad,” said friend Greg Pelky, who was flagging down drivers to give them “Missing” flyers. “And he needs his friends with him.”

Sidney Avant grew up in Benicia. Her last home was in Davis. She is 5 foot 2 inches tall, has tattoos on her back, her arm, and her fingers. 

Robert Avant wants to get the word out in case anyone has seen his daughter. He wants her to know he misses her.

“My biggest worry right now is that she’s out here somewhere and that she's in some kind of psychosis and someone is feeding her something,” said Avant. “So she doesn't know we're looking for and she can't get back home.”