Search Continues For Missing OC Couple Last Seen Leaving Casino
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — Officials continued to search Wednesday for a missing Orange County couple that never made it to their son's home on Mother's Day.
Cecil Knutson and Dianna Bedwell were last seen around 2 p.m. Sunday at the Valley View Casino in Valley Center, San Diego.
Knutson and Bedwell were headed to their son's La Quinta home for a get-together, but they never arrived, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies explained the couple also never returned to their mobile home in Fullerton. Police monitored the area in case the couple returns home.
Knutson and Bedwell last contacted their children around 10:30 a.m., and explained they were going to play the nickel slots at the casino before leaving.
The couple's children said the only thing that could have kept their parents away from visiting was a traffic accident or foul play.
According to deputies, Knutson and Bedwell's cell phones last pinged a few miles north of the casino, and then they were shut off.
The couple was last seen traveling in a white 2014 Hyundai Sonata, California license plate 7EHE981, which is outfitted with a tracking device that is similar to OnStar.
Authorities said the tracking device was also shut off either due to being damaged or removed.
Both Knutson and Bedwell have diabetes. Their children are concerned for their parents' health as they do not have insulin with them.
CBS2's Michele Gile on Wednesday spoke to a family friend who is also concerned.
"They were so excited for Mother's Day," says Jodie Comontofski, "I kissed her four times last Friday."
Comontofski did Bedwell's hair Friday said she considers the missing couple her own family; she even calls them mom and dad.
"We're just devastated, we want them found," she said. "We want everyone to lookout for them and please find them."
She left flowers on their doorstep hoping they will be home soon to enjoy them.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact the San Diego Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200.
