CA CA - Sydney “Syd” West, 19, University of CA student, San Francisco, 30 Sept 2020

[ElizabethAnne]

If she got picked up by Uber/Lyft, I am pretty sure LE would have known already. I hope so anyway. Wouldn't they have looked at her debit card and her phone records for that time period?

I don't know. It is hard to say what records companies such as Uber, Lyft, and telephone companies provide to the police, which require search warrants, and how long it takes to get and analyze the records. I'm sure family locator companies like Geozilla and Life360 also have data, but what the process is for law enforcement agencies obtaining that info is hard to say, but it probably differs state to state.

 

[Mamabear2525]

No judgement for the parents from me. I think it's hard to say how any of us would actually react in this situation. Obviously the family and police are withholding information and I'm sure they have a good reason. It seems like the parents were coached in the video and are definitely reading cue cards. I wonder if the setting of the video (fresh flowers, piano, great room) was an appeal to a kidnapper that they have money for ransom? JMO.

 

[scriabina]

I don't think anyone is judging the mom? I apologize if my comment about her "a little hostile-sounding" Facebook post came across as judgmental. I do not think the parents did anything intentionally to harm Syd.

The mom clearly does not want the public to know anything about this case beyond what Syd looks like. IMHO, the family is probably worried that whatever they say may trigger Syd negatively, so they simply aren't revealing anything. I notice the mother is mainly "loving" and "liking" posts on the public Find Syd West page that comment on Syd's beauty and she avoids answering any case-related questions (which I thought sounded "a little hostile" in that one instance - she was probably feeling defensive). I think she is doing this in case Syd is reading the posts so that Syd will see that her mom loves and supports her. This behavior makes me believe the Syd has given the parents strong reason to believe she is voluntarily missing, and that her mental state is delicate such that they are treading very lightly.

 

[turanna25]

Rhetorical question, so I'll go ahead and answer it:

Never.

The set of circumstances here do not support a sex trafficking conclusion.
My main man William of Occam is shaking his head emphatically at that suggestion.

Last seen near a bridge famous for suicides = Self-harm is the most probable outcome.

Second most probable is voluntarily missing.

Third likeliest would be a foul play scenario ala the Lueck case…this case does appear to bear some similarities.

Sex trafficking falls somewhere south of alien abduction on the list of possibilities.

Trafficking is one of the most common rabbit holes people love to chase around here.
In all the mp cases I've followed on WS, I haven't seen a single one that ended up being the result of sex trafficking.

Not. One.

JMO.

Honestly, I think that's a strong statement. Saying "never" insinuates that there was never ever an occurrence where a woman was abducted. Is that what you are saying?

Sex trafficking is a rabbit hole people tend to "chase" around here occasionally but honestly... Syd was in San Fran in the middle of the night/early morning. Alone. Anything could have happened. And the thing is although she does have friends and family... it doesn't appear that she was reported missing promptly or had extremely close ties with anyone that missed hearing from her within a day or so of her disappearance.

She could have made online friends using another username on a site no one is aware of and the "friend" could have said "I can't sleep either.. want meet up by Crissy Field and walk around? It'll be fun to watch the sun rise together" Once she got there she could have been abducted. We just don't know. And if people want to hold out hope that she's still alive, then what's the harm in that until we hear otherwise?

Equating human trafficking to "alien abduction" is a bit judgmental and offensive/insensitive to those that have been trafficked. Human trafficking is grossly under reported. I have worked in hospitals in the San Fran area. We see a lot of sex trafficking victims in the emergency departments. It is a problem. Hardly any of them are shared with local news because they fall under the umbrella a sexual assault victims. Their information is not supposed to be shared so the only way there would be news coverage of it would be if it was a very known case and the victim allowed the information to be shared or if the officials released information without any distinguishing information. Most of the time victims do not want to share with news /media mainly because they are afraid for their lives and the lives of their family.
Last year another initiative was started to teach clinical staff what to look for and what specifically to ask for possible trafficking victims. One of the educational pieces shared with the staff? Race is not a determinate in trafficking victims.

Feds: CA man made $21 million operating trafficking websites

The Bay Area’s hidden identity as a sex trafficking capital

Clearly, human trafficking is an issue in the San Fran area (see links above)

You're entitled to your opinions and I'm entitled to mine. I'll keep holding out hope that she's out there until I hear otherwise. Hopefully safe and ok just needing a breather.

JMO

 

[ocsalumni]

Has anyone noticed the comment on the find_sydney_west Instagram account's latest post? I don't know if it has any merit or if more info was released somewhere that we aren't seeing. Could be someone close to the situation, or could be someone making an assumption. Weird.

 

[SouthAussie]

Cal gets about 100,000 applicants per year - they don’t need to relax their standards or change their rules. In fact, they always have a robust waitlist that never gets exhausted, so I’d stick with the “no deferral” train of thought.

Not that it likely makes much difference to this case, whether Syd 'covid deferred' or not, but I did see this a bit earlier. It makes me tend to agree with what you are saying.


But Michelle Myers, an independent college placement advisor in Walnut Creek, says prestigious universities such as Cal or Stanford have plenty of students to choose from and will probably not offer deferments or extend their deadline to enroll. Students who hesitate may end up losing the spot they worked so hard to get. Her advice to clients?

“That they commit and that they go so that they do not lose their spot, even though they’re going to spend 5 or 6 thousand dollars a semester to take online classes at Berkeley”

COVID-19 Impacting Fall College Admission Decisions For Students And Universities Alike

 

[Sillybilly]

Bumping my post from earlier for those who may have missed it.

ADMIN NOTE:

Normally reddit is not an approved source at Websleuths but in this case it is the missing person's social media account so it is being allowed for discussion. As per social media rules, paraphrasing is allowed but screenshots and direct quotes are not allowed.

As always, please post in accordance with The Rules: Social Media - Facebook, Twitter, etc

Thanks.

 

[turanna25]

Has anyone noticed the comment on the find_sydney_west Instagram account's latest post? I don't know if it has any merit or if more info was released somewhere that we aren't seeing. Could be someone close to the situation, or could be someone making an assumption. Weird.

That is interesting. Unfortunately, that user states on the profile its a spam account and the person who responded also doesn't have a photo and looks to be a new account as well. I think that person may be trying to drum up more information. It would be nice if we knew for sure how she got to that area in the middle of the night though.
JMO

 

[SouthAussie]

Honestly, I think that's a strong statement. Saying "never" insinuates that there was never ever an occurrence where a woman was abducted. Is that what you are saying?

Sex trafficking is a rabbit hole people tend to "chase" around here occasionally but honestly... Syd was in San Fran in the middle of the night/early morning. Alone. Anything could have happened. And the thing is although she does have friends and family... it doesn't appear that she was reported missing promptly or had extremely close ties with anyone that missed hearing from her within a day or so of her disappearance.

She could have made online friends using another username on a site no one is aware of and the "friend" could have said "I can't sleep either.. want meet up by Crissy Field and walk around? It'll be fun to watch the sun rise together" Once she got there she could have been abducted. We just don't know. And if people want to hold out hope that she's still alive, then what's the harm in that until we hear otherwise?

Equating human trafficking to "alien abduction" is a bit judgmental and offensive/insensitive to those that have been trafficked. Human trafficking is grossly under reported. I have worked in hospitals in the San Fran area. We see a lot of sex trafficking victims in the emergency departments. It is a problem. Hardly any of them are shared with local news because they fall under the umbrella a sexual assault victims. Their information is not supposed to be shared so the only way there would be news coverage of it would be if it was a very known case and the victim allowed the information to be shared or if the officials released information without any distinguishing information. Most of the time victims do not want to share with news /media mainly because they are afraid for their lives and the lives of their family.
Last year another initiative was started to teach clinical staff what to look for and what specifically to ask for possible trafficking victims. One of the educational pieces shared with the staff? Race is not a determinate in trafficking victims.

Feds: CA man made $21 million operating trafficking websites

The Bay Area’s hidden identity as a sex trafficking capital

Clearly, human trafficking is an issue in the San Fran area (see links above)

You're entitled to your opinions and I'm entitled to mine. I'll keep holding out hope that she's out there until I hear otherwise. Hopefully safe and ok just needing a breather.

JMO

Yes, I agree. There is a lengthy Time article here about trafficking in the US. Victims come from all kinds of backgrounds, many are groomed online ... others think they are going to a safe situation, then become exploited.


In fact, many are American-born women and girls.
These are girls from two-parent homes in the Midwest, girls from the inner city, girls from the reservation ....
They are valedictorians, rebels and runaways.
Trafficking can start with something as simple as a flattering comment on Facebook.
That’s what happened to Jae, a vivacious singer from outside New York City.
Danielle Knoblauch, a 41-year-old mother of three from Chicago, followed her husband to Dickinson, N.D., in 2012.

The Hidden Epidemic of Sex Trafficking in the U.S.

 

[MassGuy]

Honestly, I think that's a strong statement. Saying "never" insinuates that there was never ever an occurrence where a woman was abducted. Is that what you are saying?

Sex trafficking is a rabbit hole people tend to "chase" around here occasionally but honestly... Syd was in San Fran in the middle of the night/early morning. Alone. Anything could have happened. And the thing is although she does have friends and family... it doesn't appear that she was reported missing promptly or had extremely close ties with anyone that missed hearing from her within a day or so of her disappearance.

She could have made online friends using another username on a site no one is aware of and the "friend" could have said "I can't sleep either.. want meet up by Crissy Field and walk around? It'll be fun to watch the sun rise together" Once she got there she could have been abducted. We just don't know. And if people want to hold out hope that she's still alive, then what's the harm in that until we hear otherwise?

Equating human trafficking to "alien abduction" is a bit judgmental and offensive/insensitive to those that have been trafficked. Human trafficking is grossly under reported. I have worked in hospitals in the San Fran area. We see a lot of sex trafficking victims in the emergency departments. It is a problem. Hardly any of them are shared with local news because they fall under the umbrella a sexual assault victims. Their information is not supposed to be shared so the only way there would be news coverage of it would be if it was a very known case and the victim allowed the information to be shared or if the officials released information without any distinguishing information. Most of the time victims do not want to share with news /media mainly because they are afraid for their lives and the lives of their family.
Last year another initiative was started to teach clinical staff what to look for and what specifically to ask for possible trafficking victims. One of the educational pieces shared with the staff? Race is not a determinate in trafficking victims.

Feds: CA man made $21 million operating trafficking websites

The Bay Area’s hidden identity as a sex trafficking capital

Clearly, human trafficking is an issue in the San Fran area (see links above)

You're entitled to your opinions and I'm entitled to mine. I'll keep holding out hope that she's out there until I hear otherwise. Hopefully safe and ok just needing a breather.

JMO

What you are describing in regards to being “lured,” and “abducted,” only meets the definition of “sex trafficking” if she was in fact trafficked after that.

I have not come across a single case in the United States, where anything like that has occurred (viral Facebook insanity aside).

It’s typically much more insidious, as it generally involves a lengthy grooming process. The vast majority of victims are also high risk (runaways, drug addicts, sex workers etc).

Promises are made, and they are not kept.

I think there are far more likely possibilities here than sex trafficking, which has come up in dozens of missing persons cases I’ve followed on here.

Not once has that theory been true. It’s a trend I expect to continue.

ETA: There are tons of articles like this out there, but this is a particularly good one. Police, survivors debunk human trafficking kidnapping myths

 

[ocsalumni]

That is interesting. Unfortunately, that user states on the profile its a spam account and the person who responded also doesn't have a photo and looks to be a new account as well. I think that person may be trying to drum up more information. It would be nice if we knew for sure how she got to that area in the middle of the night though.
JMO

A spam account usually means only their close friends follow them because they're posting personal stuff, or they want to follow accounts that they don’t want to show up on their personal account, like gossip blogs and such. Just anecdotal, MOO

 

[GordianKnot]

Missing Chapel Hill Woman's Family to Hold Vigil on Thursday - Chapelboro.com

SABBM:

A program of those who want to celebrate their love for the college student known as “Syd” and urge for people to continue their search will start at 4:30 p.m., according to organizers.

While the in-person portion will be outdoors, the event will be subject to local public health guidelines in place amid the coronavirus pandemic. People in attendance must stay in groups of five and will have sectioned out space on the green to sit or stand. For those unable to attend in-person, or those in California, organizers will be live streaming the vigil on a Facebook page set up to encourage the search for West.

A one-time college student at UC Berkley, West had been living out in California with friends in the San Francisco area. The last known sighting of her was the morning of September 30 near Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

[ocsalumni]

What you are describing in regards to being “lured,” and “abducted,” only meets the definition of “sex trafficking” if she was in fact trafficked after that.

I have not come across a single case in the United States, where anything like that has occurred (viral Facebook insanity aside).

It’s typically much more insidious, as it generally involves a lengthy grooming process. The vast majority of victims are also high risk (runaways, drug addicts, sex workers etc).

Promises are made, and they are not kept.

I think there are far more likely possibilities here than sex trafficking, which has come up in dozens of missing persons cases I’ve followed on here.

Not once has that theory been true. It’s a trend I expect to continue.

To be fair, we can't assume that every case will make it to MSM. Especially if people are worried about their safety or their family's.

I don't see much of a point in replying more about this, everyone has their opinion about whether or not it's a possible outcome, but I just wanted to say that last thing. MOO

 

[GordianKnot]

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article246413115.html

SABBM:

The family of a college freshman missing in California since Sept. 30 will hold a vigil for her Thursday at Southern Village in Chapel Hill.

There will be limited space for the vigil on the Southern Village Green, located on Market Street, but the vigil also will be streamed live on Facebook. The vigil starts at 4 p.m. with a slideshow, following by remarks from family and friends and an open microphone for anyone who wants to speak.

The family also is planning a vigil for Sydney West in California’s Bay Area.

Sydney West was last seen Sept. 30 near the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Police Department said. It’s a popular park for cyclists, joggers and visitors on the San Francisco coast. A family member reported her missing, police said.
__________________

SW's parents appear to be doing absolutely everything they can to get the word out about her disappearance and to try to increase public awareness in hopes of generating some new leads/tips.

JMO.

 

[turanna25]

What you are describing in regards to being “lured,” and “abducted,” only meets the definition of “sex trafficking” if she was in fact trafficked after that.

I have not come across a single case in the United States, where anything like that has occurred (viral Facebook insanity aside).

Here's an article, literally in the area Syd was in. At night, just walking on the sidewalk. Imagine if no one was around when this occurred. What do you think would have happened?

Witness Saves Woman From Pacific Heights Kidnapping: SFist

 

[MassGuy]

Here's an article, literally in the area Syd was in. At night, just walking on the sidewalk. Imagine if no one was around when this occurred. What do you think would have happened?

Witnessed Saves Woman From Pacific Heights Kidnapping: SFist

Ok, that’s an article on attempted kidnapping. No one is arguing that kidnappings don’t happen.

I’m talking about someone being kidnapped and forced into sex trafficking.

Had this not happened, I’m sure this would have at a minimum, resulted in sexual assault/rape.

That’s not “sex trafficking though.”

 

[turanna25]

Ok, that’s an article on attempted kidnapping. No one is arguing that kidnappings don’t happen.

I’m talking about someone being kidnapped and forced into sex trafficking.

Had this not happened, I’m sure this would have at a minimum, resulted in sexual assault/rape.

That’s not “sex trafficking though.”

And I am not saying outright its a human trafficking case. I'm saying that it *could* be. It could also be someone saw her walking alone late at night/early in the morning and took the opportunity to snatch her up and abduct her which could turn into being trafficked or it could be just an abduction and being held. It could also be someone was grooming her as they knew she felt lonely starting at a new school and used that to their advantage too. I just think without more information it should be treated as an unknown and not discounted just because someone else is equating it to an "alien abduction" which is incredibly insensitive and would be a great disservice to Syd in the event something like this occurred. I've seen a lot of articles regarding the security/safety of Marina area where she was walking. There have been many assaults, robberies, etc. in that area in the last 1-2 years. So, its not preposterous to suggest she could have been a victim of violence/abduction/trafficking in some way shape or form.

 

[Vacajoe]

Don’t you think covid issues might have led to Berkeley relaxing those standards a bit, if only on an informal basis?

Cal gets about 100,000 applicants per year - they don’t need to relax their standards or change their rules. In fact, they always have a robust waitlist that never gets exhausted, so I’d stick with the “no deferral” train of thought.

 

[Scoutce]

Rhetorical question, so I'll go ahead and answer it:

Never.

The set of circumstances here do not support a sex trafficking conclusion.
My main man William of Occam is shaking his head emphatically at that suggestion.

Last seen near a bridge famous for suicides = Self-harm is the most probable outcome.

Second most probable is voluntarily missing.

Third likeliest would be a foul play scenario ala the Lueck case…this case does appear to bear some similarities.

Sex trafficking falls somewhere south of alien abduction on the list of possibilities.

Trafficking is one of the most common rabbit holes people love to chase around here.
In all the mp cases I've followed on WS, I haven't seen a single one that ended up being the result of sex trafficking.

Not. One.

JMO.

Never is not correct.

Maybe unlikely. But not never. I have worked with a beautiful smart young woman (18) from an upper middle class (more on the upper) that got in with drug dealers and using drugs and then trafficked. Once she was treated for overdose then arrested, it was a fight to beat the traffickers to the jail to get her. They showed up with wads of cash. Thankfully they didn’t get her back. Now she is in a facility that is supposedly secret and safe. I have been able to talk to her once and she is showing improvements. It happens. I am not saying Syd is using drugs, but trafficking happens.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

The Medium blog post that people referred to several days ago called Gap Year Blues Pt 1 has disappeared and is no longer on the internet. Who would have removed it?