Pearl Pinson vanished on her way to school in Vallejo two years ago Friday, never to be seen or heard from again.
As the anniversary of her disappearance approaches, KRON4 is uncovering new details in the search for the teenager.
On Thursday, KRON4 spoke exclusively with the lead detective on the case about where the investigation stands now.
From the day Pinson disappeared on her way to school on May 25, 2016, detective Sean Mattson has been on the case. He has been following every tip, twist, and turn trying to find the teenager.
But two years later, still no conclusion.
“Obviously, I want to find Pearl,” Mattson said.
Witnesses saw a man take Pearl at the overpass right by her house.
The only suspect in Pearl’s kidnapping, Fernando Castro, died in a shootout with law enforcement in Southern California.
“Not having him, that is frustrating too, not having the opportunity to even try,” Mattson said.
Detective Mattson says Pearls blood was found in the suspect’s car.
KRON4 has obtained new pictures of Castro driving the tan sedan in Bodega Bay, while Pearl was missing.
“We believe strongly that he was the one that did it,” Mattson said.
It’s been a heartbreaking two years for Pearl’s family.
“We don’t know where she is at,” Pearl’s sister Rose said. “We don’t know if we will ever find her.”
There is no evidence that suggests human trafficking.
Also, there were two reported sightings of Pearl at the Pittsburg BART station– but they were not true.
Earlier in May, the sheriff’s just did a search in Bodega Bay for evidence in a pond, but that also turned up nothing.
Detective Mattson believes someone out there knows something that will lead to a break in the case.
“Even if they don’t think it is something to still call it in because we are trying to give two families some answers that they deserve,” Mattson said.
This detective is determined not to let the case go cold.
On Friday, the Pinson family is holding a vigil to remember Pearl at the overpass where she was kidnapped.
