On the morning of May 25, 2016, Pearl le...

On the morning of May 25, 2016, Pearl le...

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On the morning of May 25, 2016, Pearl left her home in Vallejo, California, and began walking to school, just as she had done many times before.

Pearl walked down Taylor Avenue and turned right onto Home Acres Avenue, near the I.780 pedestrian overcrossing, as she made her way to her school bus stop on Benicia Road. It was a familiar route she had taken many times. But that morning, everything changed.

At approximately 7 AM, witnesses saw Pearl struggling with a man later identified by authorities as Fernando Castro. Pearl fought desperately to escape, screaming for help.

One witness stopped and tried to save Pearl. He confronted the suspect in an attempt to intervene, but the suspect pointed a handgun at him and threatened to shoot if he came any closer. Fearing for his own life, the witness was forced to back away.

Moments later, witnesses heard a gunshot. The suspect threw Pearl into the trunk of his 1997 gold Saturn and fled the scene.

Hours later, detectives served a search warrant at Castro's home. During the search, they found zip ties, his cellphone, his wallet, a homemade silencer, and a suicide note. Investigators also determined that Pearl and Fernando Castro did not know each other.

Thirty-two hours later, an Amber Alert was issued. Within 30 minutes, Castro was spotted in Santa Barbara County, Southern California, where he led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit that ended in an officer-involved shooting. Pearl was not with him.

After Castro's death, investigators searched his vehicle and found handwritten directions to Jenner, California. From Vallejo, California, to Jenner, California, numerous areas were searched, but unfortunately, Pearl has never been found.

Her family, friends, community, and law enforcement continue searching for answers and believe someone may still hold the key to solving this case.

If you have any information about Pearl Pinson's disappearance, no matter how small, please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Pearl Pinson Tip Line.

Solano County Sheriff's Office: (707) 421 to 7090

Pearl Pinson Tip Line (Call/Text): (707) 685 to 6102

Email: 2016pearlteam@gmail.com

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