13:21 | Cusco (Cusco region), Jan. 23.
A total of 40 days have passed since Carla Valpeoz —a 35-year-old tourist from the United States— went missing in Cusco, Peru, forcing her father to offer a reward to whoever gives him information about her whereabouts.
The sum offered amounts to S/17,000 (about US$5,094).
"No one knows anything about her, nobody comments on it. I feel like someone knows something but, for fear of something I don't know what it is, the person would refuse to testify," said Carlos Lopez Valpeoz, father of the missing woman.
Carla's father said he heard rumors along his journey, but nothing concrete. However, he thinks this reward might help encourage people to provide information.
All information will be treated with confidentiality to make sure the informer's identity is not compromised.
According to the family member, the Public Ministry is already investigating her disappearance as a crime.
He claims something strange must have happened to her and that perpetrators are out there.
"I'll remain here forever and look for her for the rest of my life. I have to take my daughter with me," he expressed.
It was her friend Alicia Ann Steele, 32, who reported the disappearance. They were both in Lima when Carla left for Cusco on 10 December 2018 to take the
Machu Picchu-Huayna Picchu tour.
Since then, they kept in touch via WhatsApp until December 12, when her phone ran out of battery, apparently.
Carla was supposed to fly back to Lima on December 14 at 6:45 PM and start her return home the next day.
The U.S citizen is blind and uses a cane while traveling. She is missing and was traveling with her green backpack.
(END) PHS/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 1/23/2019