UPDATE: An El Paso family is in a state of distress as they urgently seek help in finding their missing daughter, 24-year-old Sydney Marquez, last seen in southwest Houston on December 11, 2023. Her father, Raul Marquez, is pleading for public assistance and critical video footage from a METRO bus that she may have boarded.
According to investigators, Sydney was last spotted near the 9100 block of Bellaire Boulevard after leaving a friend’s car running in the street. Surveillance footage shows her walking away at approximately 10:30 PM. Witnesses reported that she may have boarded a northbound METRO bus at the intersection of Gessner and Harwin, traveling towards the Little York area.
“The car was running. We have video of her going northbound on Ranchester. That’s the last solid evidence we have,” Raul Marquez stated. He emphasized the importance of obtaining the bus video, calling it “a matter of life and death.”
In a promising turn, the METRO Police Department confirmed that they have successfully retrieved the bus video that was initially unavailable. This footage has been handed over to the Houston Police Department (HPD), which is leading the investigation.
“We remain hopeful for Sydney’s safe return and will continue to assist HPD as this case progresses,” a METRO Police official stated. This development has brought a glimmer of hope to the Marquez family.
Sydney, who lives and works in El Paso, was visiting friends in Houston when she disappeared. Her father expressed concerns about her mental health, stating, “She was diagnosed with late-onset bipolar disorder with a bit of schizophrenia.” He noted changes in her behavior over the past few months.
Time is of the essence in this case. Texas EquuSearch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding missing persons, is also assisting in the search efforts. Founder Tim Miller stressed the urgency, saying, “Time’s not on our side. She’s a young girl who was walking late at night, not knowing the area. We just want to get her home safe.”
Authorities have provided a description of Sydney Marquez to aid in her identification:
- Height: 5 feet 4 inches
- Weight: Approximately 120 pounds
- Hair: Short reddish-brown
- Eyes: Brown
- Distinctive features: Wears glasses and has a four-leaf clover tattoo on her left wrist
Raul Marquez sent a heartfelt message to his daughter: “Sydney, you need to come home now. We miss you. We love you. Christmas is around the corner.”
Witness accounts suggest Sydney may have boarded the bus with two men who prevented her from using a phone offered to her at the bus stop. This detail underscores the importance of the retrieved video, as it could help identify those individuals.
Anyone with information about Sydney Marquez’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Houston Police Department at (832) 394-1840 or Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for community involvement in locating Sydney. Every share and piece of information could make a difference in bringing her home safely.
