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Community Corner

March for Justice and Candlelight Vigil for Missing Panamanian Woman

The family of Yvonne Baldelli has launched a website that provides new developments about the ongoing case as well as a place for donations.

The family of former Laguna Niguel resident  is holding a March for Justice and candlelight vigil in Dana Point on Saturday.

Baldelli went missing in Panama in November, and the case is now being investigated as a homicide, according to her family.

The 42-year-old was last seen Nov. 26 in Isla Carenero, one of several islands in the province of Bocas del Toro on Panama's Caribbean coast.

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In May, FBI agents, forensic specialists and Panama authorities used a chemical that can reveal traces of blood while they searched the home she and boyfriend Brian Brimager shared for more than two months, Panamanian police investigator Alexis Munoz told the Associated Press.

Her niece  said the family was notified of the case's status change May 18.

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"The case has been moved out of Bocas to the larger Superior Prosecutor in Chiriqui. This means more resources and higher-ranking officials will be involved in the investigation. They continue to work closely with the U.S. Embassy and FBI," she said.

As for Saturday's event Beyer said: "We are asking people to come or one or come for both portions of this powerful event to bring awareness and gather in solidarity for our missing Yvonne. This area of Dana Point is one Yvonne cherished and enjoyed spending a great deal of time."

Beyer said that in addition to the Facebook page to help find Baldelli, the family recently launched a new website that has information on the investigation as well as a schedule of events.  

"We have also set up a fund to receive donations toward search efforts. The investigators have told us that leads and information are still flowing in and they are actively working the case," Beyer said.

She said that to date, authorities haven't shared much else with the family.

"We have established the fund so we can grow resources to do everything we can as a family, in addition to the investigation, to bring her home," she said. 

The original prosecutor in Panama has retired since taking on the case, and a new prosecutor is taking over, she said.

"He is currently in Bocas del Toro doing his own research into the case and says he will update us upon his return," she said.

Event Details

Come support the family in a community March for Justice and candlelight vigil June 30, at Salt Creek Beach Park in Dana Point. Please RSVP via the facebook page. Parking is $1 per hour at the lot. 

Particpants are encouraged to make a personal sign if possible. Feel free to write to the family on Facebook facebook.com/findyvonnebaldelli if you would like inspiration for your sign.

"We want to bring greater awareness to the community about Yvonne's disappearance and our desire to find her, and for justice," Beyer said.

Itinerary:

Salt Creek Beach Park
33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Dana Point

6 p.m. Meet in Salt Creek Beach park parking lot
6:30 p.m. March commences on PCH toward Selva
7-7:30 p.m Break (Put signs in cars, use restroom if needed, walk down to the lawn of the park)
7:30 p.m- Vigil on Salt Creek Beach park lawn

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