Two Fresno County lakes focus of search for missing Selma woman, police chief says

The search for Jolissa Fuentes, missing since Sunday, Aug. 7, is focusing on the Pine Flat and Avocado lakes area, Selma Police Chief Rudy Alcaraz reported Monday afternoon at a crowded news conference attended by anxious family members of the 22-year-old woman.

Alcaraz also said the search is being treated as a criminal investigation:

“Miss Fuentes has been gone for a long time, and this is not normal behavior (for her), so we are treating it as a criminal matter.”

Alcaraz said Fresno County search and rescue teams in 4x4 vehicles are covering back roads in the rugged terrain around the lakes, while a sheriff’s helicopter flies overhead and a sheriff’s boat unit checks waterways in a search for Fuentes. She was last seen at a convenience store at the intersection of Highway 43 and Nebraska Avenue just outside Selma city limits about 4 a.m. Aug. 7. The preceding Saturday evening, she had attended a family gathering.

Fuentes was driving a silver 2011 Hyundai Accent at the time, with a license number of 8MPU766. The car has not been located.

Alcaraz said Aug. 11 investigators discovered the ping from Fuentes’ cell phone that led authorities to the search area near the two lakes.

Selma police are being helped by a Fresno police cyber investigator who is tracking Fuentes’ social media footprint and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Tips are being checked, some received from as far away as New Mexico.

Alcaraz said phone tips are welcomed by his department at 559-896-2525.

Asked if he thought Fuentes were alive, Alcaraz said he “hopes for the best.”

Family praised for its work on social media and more

The chief noted that investigators are working with Fuentes’ family members, who “have been phenomenal” in their assistance. He said they have been very active, using social media to reach out for assistance in the hunt for Fuentes.

Fuentes’ family has distributed digital fliers, organized a prayer vigil and multiple community search parties, and offered a $10,000 reward for information on the case.

A “Find Jolissa Fuentes” group has been created on Facebook to share thoughts, tips and information on the case.

Fuentes’ mother, Norma Nuñez, has been keeping daily updates, sharing the latest news on the case, along with pictures of her daughter and requests for continued support.

Family members filled the back of the room during Monday’s news conference.

The family held a “peaceful protest” Monday evening at Selma’s Lincoln Park.

Volunteer dive team joining search

A volunteer dive team that uses specialized equipment, Adventures with Purpose, announced that it will join the search.

Adventures with Purpose divers located a missing 16-year-old’s vehicle in about 14 feet of water at a Northern California reservoir on Sunday. It was found near the site of a party with about 200 to 300 young people at which Kiely Rodni was last seen alive about 12:30 a.m. Aug. 6.

Adventures with Purpose says it is an “underwater sonar search and recovery dive team helping families locate missing loved ones underwater,” according to its website.

The Oregon-based group has a popular YouTube page with more than 2.4 million subscribers and large followings on other social media platforms.

Its YouTube playlists include a variety of videos centered on missing persons and solved cases, underwater treasure hunting, and finding missing boats, stolen cars and firearms.