The Bear Valley Police Department is asking the public for help locating a 37-year-old woman who was last seen walking away from her home early Monday morning.
Officers say she has a documented history of being a trafficking victim and may be heading toward the Antelope Valley or Los Angeles area.
Police identified the woman as Nicolette “Nikki” Lucia, also known by the alias “Monique Webster.” She was last seen near Bear Valley Road and Pheasant Court in Tehachapi at around 1 a.m. on June 29.
Her description, according to the Bear Valley Police Department:
- Height: 5 feet 2 inches
- Weight: 158 pounds
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Hazel
- Distinguishing features: Nose ring, glasses
She was wearing a dark sweatshirt and leggings when she was last seen, and she was carrying a purple Reebok bag packed with clothing.
A History of Being Trafficked
Investigators say this is not the first time Lucia has gone missing. She has previously been listed as a missing person, and police confirm she was a victim of human trafficking in the past. That history is part of why the department is treating her disappearance as an at-risk case rather than a routine missing persons report.
Police also noted that Lucia has been diagnosed with several conditions, including:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Multiple personality disorder
- Autism
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
Officers say these diagnoses, combined with her trafficking history, raise the level of concern for her safety while she is out on her own.
Where She Might Be Headed
Bear Valley Police believe Lucia is traveling on foot and may be trying to reach the Antelope Valley or the greater Los Angeles area. Both regions are hours from Tehachapi by foot, which has led investigators to ask nearby agencies and residents along likely travel routes to stay alert.
The case has already been shared widely on social media, including by local outlet BakersfieldNow, as police try to widen the search beyond Kern County.
What To Do If You See Her
Anyone who spots Lucia, or who has information about where she might be is urged to call 911 right away rather than approaching her directly. Given her mental health diagnoses and her history as a trafficking victim, authorities say a calm, low-pressure response from law enforcement is the safest way to bring her home.
The Bear Valley Police Department has not released additional details about the circumstances that led to her leaving home, and the investigation remains active. Updates are expected as the search continues and as tips come in from the public.
Residents in Tehachapi, the Antelope Valley, and Los Angeles County are being asked to keep an eye out along major foot routes and transit corridors, since police believe those areas are the most likely places she could turn up next.
