Family, friends desperate to find Mountlake Terrace woman missing since Monday

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. -- It’s been more than three days since anyone has seen or heard from 54-year-old Cheryl DeBoer, but her family hasn’t given up on their search.

Police believe Cheryl may have been near her car when she disappeared, but detectives still don’t know where she is.

Cheryl’s niece, Nalla DeFosse, said Thursday that her family is heartbroken and scared something terrible has happened.

“She’s a very loved and missed person right now and all we want is her to be home,” she said.

Family and friends have continued their campaign of spreading fliers asking people to be on the lookout for Cheryl.

“You never suspect or expect the face of somebody you’re related to, to be looking at you through a missing person’s poster,” said DeFosse.

Police said Cheryl planned to meet up with a friend at the Mountlake Terrace park-and-ride together to commute into Seattle on Monday morning. But then Cheryl sent her friend a text message saying she would be late, but she never made it to work.

Investigators found Cheryl’s car parked along nearby 58th Avenue where many other commuters also park when the transit center garage is full.

Police believe Cheryl may have walked through a wooded pathway, which leads to the transit center. But since her disappearance, some neighbors worry about their own security in the woods.

“It’s not well-lit at all,” said neighbor Charlotte Thomas. “It’s really dark and it’s not safe. I don’t believe it’s safe.”

“Now, I would be more cautious,” said neighbor Tara Conroy. “I probably wouldn’t go alone in the woods.”

Cheryl’s family said they’re praying for the nightmare to end and hope Cheryl shows up safe and sound. But for now, memories of happier times keeps their hopes alive.

“She cut the cake at our wedding,” said DeFosse,

Investigators are pleading for the public to help solve this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mountlake Terrace Police Department.