SAN ANTONIO – They are families with an understanding of each other, an understanding they would wish on no one.
Loved ones of missing people or those with unsolved murder cases gathered Saturday for an event by the nonprofit organization Search and Support San Antonio.
Two moms whose children are missing offered a glimpse into what it’s like for them and why support is crucial.
Angela Walden’s son, James Preston Walden Davis, has been missing for 20 years.
She said she recently received a tip, but it has not led to anything.
“You don’t understand. When you don’t know, it’s an emptiness,” Walden said. “It’s an emptiness inside.”
Valerie Mendoza’s daughter, Kate Vara, has been missing for six months, a case that KSAT has recently covered.
“August 6th was the last time that she was home,” Mendoza said. “Back in November, they did come (sic) in pick up her toothbrush to test against some DNA that they found. And I’m still waiting on the results for that since then.”
Waiting for those answers has been excruciating, she said.
“Nowhere in my wildest nightmares would I think that I would be having to wait this long to bring her home,” Mendoza said. ”I don’t want her to be forgotten. I don’t want her just to be another name.
“I want to be able to keep her name out there. And people know that we will continue to keep looking for her,” Mendoza continued.
Both mothers have found help from Search and Support San Antonio, an organization offering comfort and connection to a long list of services.
“I’m thankful, and I’m truly blessed that certain support can reach out to these agencies and ask them to come and be a part. It’s like a network,” Walden said.
“One table that I stopped at that had talked about how they build a website. Some of them are for people that want to do DNA testing,” Mendoza explained. “I saw one table; they have drones. Another organization was for children, what you (sic) the signs to look out for trafficking. There was so much I didn’t know.”
However, no matter how much they learn, their plea to the public remains the same.
“People know what happened to her. A lot of people know, and it’s just about the person having (the) heart to come forward and say what happened,” Mendoza said. “So, that way, I can do what needs to be done for my daughter. I need closure. Her son needs closure.”
“Just give somebody some closure in their life. Give my granddaughter closure if her dad’s gone,” Walden said.
Regardless of circumstance, pain, and anger, both moms are not giving up hope.
“It gives me hope knowing that there’s people out there willing to help us,” Mendoza said.
“I still have hope,” Walden said. “I’m not letting anybody take that from me until I actually know what is what.”
They want other heartbroken families in similar situations to know Search and Support San Antonio is available, and families like theirs are available to talk.
To contact the organization, anyone can email sassa.tx.org@gmail.com or call them at 210-372-7143.
