Full Notification

The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) Crimes of Violence Unit (COV), in close cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is revisiting the open 2002 cold case homicide of 14-year-old Gabriela “Gaby” Gonzales. Gaby disappeared on April 5, 2002 and has not been seen since. Gaby would be 29 years old today.

Chula Vista Police Detectives have been investigating the disappearance as a homicide and recently developed investigative leads that provide new potential that she will be found and her killer(s) identified and arrested. Detectives have long believed that her body could be buried in the Otay River Bottom (Otay Valley Regional Park). As a result of these new investigative leads, CVPD has partnered with the San Diego FBI in this important case. The FBI is providing significant additional expertise and resources that add new hope to finding Gaby and bringing her home to her family.

On Thursday, November 10th, COV Detectives, along with Investigators from the FBI and San Diego County District Attorney’s Office will be passing out flyers in the community seeking to inspire someone who knows something to come forward. Chula Vista Public Works Personnel will also be clearing brush in the Otay River Valley to allow Chula Vista and FBI’s specialized Evidence Response Team (ERT) access to areas that contain potential evidence of Gaby’s murder.

Gaby’s disappearance is a tragedy that has devastated her family and remained among the most pressing cold cases for the Chula Vista Police Department. The Chula Vista Police Department and the San Diego FBI are committed to working tirelessly to bring resolution to this case.

Anyone with information on Gaby’s disappearance or murder is asked to call Chula Vista Police COV Detectives at (619) 691-5075, the CVPD non-emergency line at (619) 691-5151, or the anonymous tip line at (619) 422-TIPS. They can also contact San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477, or visit http://sdcrimestoppers.org and be eligible for a reward of up $1,000.

The Chula Vista Police Foundation is also offering an additional $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Gaby’s murderer.