10 years since Vallejo teen Pearl Pinson was kidnapped
Vigil held for Pearl Pinson, kidnapped Vallejo girl last seen 9 years ago
The Solano County community is remembering Pearl Pinson, a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped on her way to school nine years ago in Vallejo. A vigil was scheduled on Sunday on the ninth anniversary of her disappearance.
VALLEJO, Calif. - Monday marked 10 years since Vallejo teen Pearl Pinson was kidnapped.
Pearl was abducted May 25, 2016, while walking to a bus stop in Vallejo, according to police. Witnesses told investigators they saw the 15-year-old being dragged into a car. She has not been seen since.
She was wearing a gray sweater and black leggings, according to the Polly Klaas Foundation.
Suspect identified, later killed
What we know:
Police identified 19-year-old Fernando Castro as the suspect in the case. Authorities said Castro had no known connection to Pearl.
Castro was later killed in an unrelated shootout with police in Los Alamos, in Santa Barbara County.
"Unfortunately, he may have taken the secret of what happened to Pearl with him to his grave," the Solano County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post.
The agency said the investigation remains active and detectives are still seeking leads in the case.
Family holding vigil
What's next:
As they have every year since Pearl’s disappearance, family members and supporters are holding a vigil in her honor and praying for her safe return.
The vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Highway 780 pedestrian overcrossing near Home Acres and Lewis Avenue in Vallejo, the same area where Pearl was kidnapped.
Pearl’s mother died in 2022
In 2022, Pearl’s mother, Annie Pinson, died from complications related to liver and kidney problems.
The Source: This report is based on information from the Solano County Sheriff's Office, along with previous KTVU reporting.