Local News

Sisters Reported Missing, Found In Crook Co.

PRINEVILLE, OR -- An 18-year-old woman and her younger sister have been reported missing in Crook County, following the Symbiosis eclipse festival. Their parents last heard from Melissa Lea and her sister in the Bend area, August 20. They've filed a missing persons report in their hometown of Lake Tahoe.

 

The two were last known to be at the event at Big Summit Prairie. The parents are concerned because the girls haven't checked in since Sunday. Crook County Sheriff's deputies confirmed Lea's debit card was used August 22 at the Symbiosis event. She's associated with a black Toyota Sequoia SUV, with California license plates. 

 

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 541-447-6398. 

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THURSDAY 7 a.m. UPDATE: Darryl Lea told KCRA-TV in Sacramento Wednesday his daughters checked in on Sunday when they stopped in Bend to rest. Melissa called that night: "My wife said goodnight to her and Kalila." When he was asked whether he knew where the girls were staying in Bend, he replied, "No; my wife didn’t get that information and she didn’t push the issue." He says he knew they were headed to Prineville to watch the eclipse. But, "I didn’t know anything about the festival until today."

 

Melissa and her sister were seen in Facebook photos doing yoga at Symbiosis and her debit card was used at the festival Tuesday. But, her father says he received a fraud alert from the bank after the card was used again in Petaluma, California, near the Bay Area. There is no cell service in Big Summit Prairie and Lea says he's tried to call Melissa multiple times since the event closed. Her phone goes straight to voicemail and he’s now fearing the worst: "Something happened. I just want to protect my family. If anyone knows anything, just call your local authorities."
 
The girls may be in a 2006 black Toyota Sequoia with California plates 5SWB598. Melissa is 5'7" and 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Kalila is 7-years-old, 4' and about 45 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. 
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THURSDAY 9 a.m. UPDATE: The two sisters reported missing Wednesday have been found safe. The 18-year-old and her 7-year-old sister attended the Symbiosis Event in Big Summit Prairie and stayed longer than first planned. They left Thursday morning, regained cell service, and immediately checked in with their parents. The Crook County Sheriff's Office says they were not in any danger and are now headed back to South Lake Tahoe.  

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