FL FL - Veronica Reyes Diaz, 23, mother of 3, Dover, Hillsborough Co., 18 Jan 2020

[kelsie]

I think it's pretty obvious here that unfortunately something bad happened to Veronica.

 

[glamourkitty1922]

Goodness.
All you have to do is tell somebody or leave a note—that’s a normal thing to do. Otherwise it’s normal for people who care about you to report you as missing. It should be expected in a caring society IMO.

I think this case was dismissed as voluntarily missing because she left for a short time before. If she was abused, it doesn’t surprise me that she may have taken off from a bad situation in the past, and IMO it shouldn’t make foul play impossible this time. I’d like to know if she took her phone, purse, money and car the last time she left. Or did she just disappear into the night with NOTHING like she did this time? That would be telling.

I have never made it a habit of checking in with others. I am not the only one, many people are not checking in before they go do things. The vast majority of people show up and were never missing at all. Missing persons are very difficult for the police since the person might not be missing, and might be angry if their privacy is violated. They have to walk a tightrope and have only the evidence left behind to rely on to determine whether it was voluntary or involuntary.

It's hard to determine if someone left with nothing since people have multiple purses, and phones are very cheap. Money can be gathered in advance and a car is the easiest thing to be traced. However it's been a year and that makes it suspicious. At least to me. I can see someone leaving for up to a year, but at some point she would want to check on the welfare of her children. Unless she has a friend communicating with her. However, I am not optimistic on this case. It's been too long. I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

[happyday]

I have never made it a habit of checking in with others. I am not the only one, many people are not checking in before they go do things. The vast majority of people show up and were never missing at all. Missing persons are very difficult for the police since the person might not be missing, and might be angry if their privacy is violated. They have to walk a tightrope and have only the evidence left behind to rely on to determine whether it was voluntary or involuntary.

It's hard to determine if someone left with nothing since people have multiple purses, and phones are very cheap. Money can be gathered in advance and a car is the easiest thing to be traced. However it's been a year and that makes it suspicious. At least to me. I can see someone leaving for up to a year, but at some point she would want to check on the welfare of her children. Unless she has a friend communicating with her. However, I am not optimistic on this case. It's been too long. I sure hope I'm wrong.

You’re right that missing persons cases are tricky for the reasons you stated. I so hope Veronica has escaped to a new life, but I also have a hard time believing that she wouldn’t come back for her children. Or at least let her mom know she’s okay.
I have in my mind what I think could have happened that night. I think after she put her kids in bed her husband ushered her outside to “talk.” That’s when the kids heard the door close when she (they) went outside. Apparently he was mad that she went out at all and then mad that she wasn’t answering his calls, according to the Vanished podcast. Did something happen to her right then and there? He woke the son up at 7:00 to ask where his mom was. He would have had several hours before 7:00 to hide her. I just wish LE had at least searched the house.
As controlling and abusive her family says he was of her, I can’t help feel that her defiantly going out with friends until very late and not answering his repeated calls would have sent him over the edge.
I understand LE can’t put all their resources into every adult that can’t be located—it makes sense, but it’s a shame in this case just because of the relationship history and that her mom and and sister knew this wasn’t right. I get that the fact she did leave once before probably made LE put this one on the back burner, but I think in this case it’s just a shame.

 

[Dre]

You’re right that missing persons cases are tricky for the reasons you stated. I so hope Veronica has escaped to a new life, but I also have a hard time believing that she wouldn’t come back for her children. Or at least let her mom know she’s okay.
I have in my mind what I think could have happened that night. I think after she put her kids in bed her husband ushered her outside to “talk.” That’s when the kids heard the door close when she (they) went outside. Apparently he was mad that she went out at all and then mad that she wasn’t answering his calls, according to the Vanished podcast. Did something happen to her right then and there? He woke the son up at 7:00 to ask where his mom was. He would have had several hours before 7:00 to hide her. I just wish LE had at least searched the house.
As controlling and abusive her family says he was of her, I can’t help feel that her defiantly going out with friends until very late and not answering his repeated calls would have sent him over the edge.
I understand LE can’t put all their resources into every adult that can’t be located—it makes sense, but it’s a shame in this case just because of the relationship history and that her mom and and sister knew this wasn’t right. I get that the fact she did leave once before probably made LE put this one on the back burner, but I think in this case it’s just a shame.

One hundred percent.

It’s really, really sad. I want so badly for some justice but I’m not sure it’s coming at this point
I hope there’s someone who can come forward with any info at all to get a spark lit, and I so hope she’s found and that she may have some evidence with her.
I wish her family some peace as they try to grapple without any real answers or closure.
Moo

 

[PayrollNerd]

The son is what, 5 years old ish...... I wonder if any more details came to mind for him. Perhaps an interviewer trained to work with children could talk to him. Maybe some art therapy to draw what he remembers. JMO

 

[geekinpink]

So, all I have heard on this case was from the Vanished podcast, and I heard it this morning. Whoever it was, would have maybe been watching her as she put the kids in the house, and expected her to come back out. She could have left the door open on the car or whatever. She could have then been ambushed, and easily incapacitated by a blow to the back of the head. Since there hasn't been any serious search of the residence, until 6 months later is what I heard, there may not have been much evidence. The podcast mentioned toll booth cameras of the husband's truck going through the toll with 2 carpets in the back of his truck, and returning with only one. He was mad she was out, she either didn't answer or answered and argued back, he waited outside until she got home (could have heard her pull in and ran through a possible back door?), waited until the kids were in the house - no witnesses, or collateral - and ambushed her with a blow to the back of the head. His truck was probably right there with the carpet for quick access. Being that they lived there awhile, he knew who had cameras, so he knew where to hide to not be seen by the cameras. Totally, IMO, but that's just the feeling I got when I heard the podcast. idk if I've ever even commented here, I usually just lurked.

 

[geekinpink]

You’re right that missing persons cases are tricky for the reasons you stated. I so hope Veronica has escaped to a new life, but I also have a hard time believing that she wouldn’t come back for her children. Or at least let her mom know she’s okay.
I have in my mind what I think could have happened that night. I think after she put her kids in bed her husband ushered her outside to “talk.” That’s when the kids heard the door close when she (they) went outside. Apparently he was mad that she went out at all and then mad that she wasn’t answering his calls, according to the Vanished podcast. Did something happen to her right then and there? He woke the son up at 7:00 to ask where his mom was. He would have had several hours before 7:00 to hide her. I just wish LE had at least searched the house.
As controlling and abusive her family says he was of her, I can’t help feel that her defiantly going out with friends until very late and not answering his repeated calls would have sent him over the edge.
I understand LE can’t put all their resources into every adult that can’t be located—it makes sense, but it’s a shame in this case just because of the relationship history and that her mom and and sister knew this wasn’t right. I get that the fact she did leave once before probably made LE put this one on the back burner, but I think in this case it’s just a shame.

Finally reading more, and YES!!

 

[happyday]

So, all I have heard on this case was from the Vanished podcast, and I heard it this morning. Whoever it was, would have maybe been watching her as she put the kids in the house, and expected her to come back out. She could have left the door open on the car or whatever. She could have then been ambushed, and easily incapacitated by a blow to the back of the head. Since there hasn't been any serious search of the residence, until 6 months later is what I heard, there may not have been much evidence. The podcast mentioned toll booth cameras of the husband's truck going through the toll with 2 carpets in the back of his truck, and returning with only one. He was mad she was out, she either didn't answer or answered and argued back, he waited outside until she got home (could have heard her pull in and ran through a possible back door?), waited until the kids were in the house - no witnesses, or collateral - and ambushed her with a blow to the back of the head. His truck was probably right there with the carpet for quick access. Being that they lived there awhile, he knew who had cameras, so he knew where to hide to not be seen by the cameras. Totally, IMO, but that's just the feeling I got when I heard the podcast. idk if I've ever even commented here, I usually just lurked.

Yes we’re thinking along the same lines!

 

[WaywardWriter]

There has to be evidence of a crime, otherwise it is a violation of her right to privacy. The police do not need to prove a crime wasn't committed, that runs counter to innocent until proven guilty, they have to prove a crime was committed. Haven't you ever just gone on an impromptu trip without telling the world about it? I have quite often. I would not be happy if someone reported me missing.

There is evidence of a crime. People don’t leave cash in their wallet when they want to disappear. They may leave their cards because they are traceable but they don’t leave their cash. Not to mention, her phone pinged at the house the whole weekend she was missing. So after she was gone her phone was at her house all weekend, and then it died. The police never recovered the phone and their theory is she took it with her and voluntarily left. That theory doesn’t make sense if the phone was in the house with her husband for days after Veronica disappeared. This is a case of bad policing. I’m a local and appalled.

 

[happyday]

There is evidence of a crime. People don’t leave cash in their wallet when they want to disappear. They may leave their cards because they are traceable but they don’t leave their cash. Not to mention, her phone pinged at the house the whole weekend she was missing. So after she was gone her phone was at her house all weekend, and then it died. The police never recovered the phone and their theory is she took it with her and voluntarily left. That theory doesn’t make sense if the phone was in the house with her husband for days after Veronica disappeared. This is a case of bad policing. I’m a local and appalled.

I agree. Her phone pinging at home all weekend and then turning off/dying on Monday never to be found makes no sense when she was supposed to have it with her. How could they just pretend like that makes sense?

 

[WaywardWriter]

I agree. Her phone pinging at home all weekend and then turning off/dying on Monday never to be found makes no sense when she was supposed to have it with her. How could they just pretend like that makes sense?

right? Also what would even be the point of taking your phone but leaving your credit cards? Phones are obviously more traceable. And what would be the point of taking your phone only to let it die a few days later and never charge it or turn it on again? That doesn’t make any sense either. Even if she was somehow alive with her phone at the property, hiding, which would be virtually impossible where she lived, it doesn’t make sense she would then run off with her dead phone and never use it. The whole thing screams foul play, our officers know they messed up,

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I have never made it a habit of checking in with others. I am not the only one, many people are not checking in before they go do things. The vast majority of people show up and were never missing at all. Missing persons are very difficult for the police since the person might not be missing, and might be angry if their privacy is violated. They have to walk a tightrope and have only the evidence left behind to rely on to determine whether it was voluntary or involuntary.

It's hard to determine if someone left with nothing since people have multiple purses, and phones are very cheap. Money can be gathered in advance and a car is the easiest thing to be traced. However it's been a year and that makes it suspicious. At least to me. I can see someone leaving for up to a year, but at some point she would want to check on the welfare of her children. Unless she has a friend communicating with her. However, I am not optimistic on this case. It's been too long. I sure hope I'm wrong.

Most parents of 3 don't make many impromptu trips, unless you count Tuesday at Denny's when kids eat for free. In addition to her right to privacy, authorities have to take into consideration the emotional welfare of the children. IMOO, that trumps a parent's right to privacy or to go voluntarily missing, which, sadly, I absolutely don't think is what happened here. AMOO

 

[Cagle]

Veronica Reyes-Diaz missing since January 2020: Search continues | wtsp.com

The family of Veronica Reyes-Diaz is pleading with the public to help find the mother of three. The 23-year-old disappeared back in January 2020.

...SBM

Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office say she went out to a restaurant with friends. Her sister watched her two older boys while her infant son stayed home with their dad.

"She picks them up, she goes back to her residence, and when she gets to the residence she takes both the children inside, tucks them into bed, everything seems fine," detective Tony Watson said. "Her husband's asleep in his room with the other child -- and the two children have been interviewed, and they say they hear mommy go back outside."

"After that, that's it. Veronica's never seen or heard from that we know of, that we can verify, again."

...SBM

Investigators say Reyes-Diaz left behind her red SUV with her keys, purse, wallet and cash still inside. Her husband told detectives he was asleep and does not know what happened. He is not considered a suspect.

The sheriff’s office has a podcast called "Unfinished Business" to try to get details on cases out to the people.

"And that's the thing, we really don't know what happened between that 1:10 and that 6:30 timeframe. He wakes up in the morning, he realizes that their family car's there, but he doesn't see Veronica," Watson said. "He realizes that that's a little weird, not weird so much that she's not there, but if she wasn't there he wouldn't expect to see the car there.

"You know, maybe she stayed out with friends, or something else like that, but that wasn't the case."

 

[cvaldez1975]

Veronica Reyes-Diaz missing since January 2020: Search continues | wtsp.com

from the link: BBM

"And that's the thing, we really don't know what happened between that 1:10 and that 6:30 timeframe. He wakes up in the morning, he realizes that their family car's there, but he doesn't see Veronica," Watson said. "He realizes that that's a little weird, not weird so much that she's not there, but if she wasn't there he wouldn't expect to see the car there.

"You know, maybe she stayed out with friends, or something else like that, but that wasn't the case."

this sounds like "she last went to the club" or "she left with another man" which is the old macho stand by for when your wife disappears.

its either
1. husband knows more, LE saying he isnt a suspect but wouldnt be the first time or...
2. she did meet w someone outside and met foul play.
either way i 100% dont believe she left her kids and all her stuff never to return on purpose.

 

[PayrollNerd]

from the link: BBM

"And that's the thing, we really don't know what happened between that 1:10 and that 6:30 timeframe. He wakes up in the morning, he realizes that their family car's there, but he doesn't see Veronica," Watson said. "He realizes that that's a little weird, not weird so much that she's not there, but if she wasn't there he wouldn't expect to see the car there.

"You know, maybe she stayed out with friends, or something else like that, but that wasn't the case."

this sounds like "she last went to the club" or "she left with another man" which is the old macho stand by for when your wife disappears.

its either
1. husband knows more, LE saying he isnt a suspect but wouldnt be the first time or...
2. she did meet w someone outside and met foul play.
either way i 100% dont believe she left her kids and all her stuff never to return on purpose.

My personal theory is #1. Why? Because the father is the spokesperson, not the husband. At what point do you make a public plea for assistance to find your wife, the mother of your children??? Immediately, not after LE declares publicly you're not a suspect. Let's say this, publicly, he's not a suspect, yet. JMO!

1. husband knows more, LE saying he isnt a suspect but wouldnt be the first time or...

 

[JerseyGirl]

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/in-depth/tampa-bay-families-our-children-are-missing-too

 

[imstilla.grandma]

ABC Action News met Reyes’ father, Fidencio Minjares, at the Sydney Dover trails near her home off Highway 60.

Minjares put together a search in the wooded area of the trails with nearly 100 people from the community the week Reyes went missing. He said law enforcement did the same search three months later, but nothing came up, and he hasn’t heard from detectives in eight months now.

In another HCSO podcast episode in August of 2020, the detective on Reyes’ case said, “We are tracking down everything that we can. We get little bits and pieces that come into us constantly. We've flooded social media. We've asked for the public's assistance.”

It's unfair,” Minjares added. “I mean I'm glad Gabby is getting her justice... but, nobody’s above nobody else doesn't matter what color you are, it doesn't matter, if you're a drug addict. I mean, it doesn't matter, everybody has a father, a mother, someone who loves them.”

Everybody needs to come together as one because one day can be somebody else's kid,” Minjares said with tears in his eyes.
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/in-depth/tampa-bay-families-our-children-are-missing-too

Veronica Reyes Diaz - Missing Person | HCSO, Tampa FL

 

[GRT]

View attachment 316788
ABC Action News met Reyes’ father, Fidencio Minjares, at the Sydney Dover trails near her home off Highway 60.

Minjares put together a search in the wooded area of the trails with nearly 100 people from the community the week Reyes went missing. He said law enforcement did the same search three months later, but nothing came up, and he hasn’t heard from detectives in eight months now.

In another HCSO podcast episode in August of 2020, the detective on Reyes’ case said, “We are tracking down everything that we can. We get little bits and pieces that come into us constantly. We've flooded social media. We've asked for the public's assistance.”

It's unfair,” Minjares added. “I mean I'm glad Gabby is getting her justice... but, nobody’s above nobody else doesn't matter what color you are, it doesn't matter, if you're a drug addict. I mean, it doesn't matter, everybody has a father, a mother, someone who loves them.”

Everybody needs to come together as one because one day can be somebody else's kid,” Minjares said with tears in his eyes.
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/in-depth/tampa-bay-families-our-children-are-missing-too
View attachment 316790
Veronica Reyes Diaz - Missing Person | HCSO, Tampa FL

It's odd the way some missing persons generate more interest than others. In the Gabby case, I think it was mostly because Gabby herself made so many videos and took so many pictures, it made her seem more familiar--gave her a touch of superstar status.

But, as far as LE searches and efforts go, they should be more balanced.

 

[CastlesBurning]

Eight years of Dateline's Missing in America: 169 still missing

Veronica Marllen Reyes-Diaz was last seen on Saturday, January 18, 2020, when she picked up her children from her sister’s house in Plant City, Florida. She took them home to their house in nearby Dover, Florida. She put them to bed and walked outside. She hasn’t been seen since. Veronica's Chevy Yukon was found parked outside the house. Her car keys and wallet with cash were inside the vehicle. Veronica’s father told Dateline her cell phone pinged in the area over the weekend, but by Monday, it had been turned off because no messages or calls were going through. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office now has a podcast called “Unfinished Business” to update the public on details on their cases. Each episode focuses on a missing person or an unsolved murder. Assistant Chief Communications Officer Amanda Granit told Dateline that Veronica’s case is classified as a missing persons case and anyone with information is encouraged to call the authorities. Veronica is described as being 4’11” and 150 lbs. She has hair that has been dyed burgundy and brown eyes. Veronica was last seen wearing a white and grey long sleeve cropped shirt, jeans and sandals. She has a mole near her left eye and may be wearing glasses. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Veronica’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or email [email protected].

 

[PayrollNerd]

It's been 2+ years. The kids are 1, 4 and 5, why would the husband wait 2 days to report their mother missing? Why would the phone ping all weekend, near home, but not be found? Hmmm.