Katherine Esther Gamboa Kerwood, a 21-year-old British tourist, was found safe after sparking an international search when she disappeared during her trip to California. Her sudden disappearance, which began after her family discovered she never checked into the hostel where she had planned to stay, left her loved ones in distress.
What Happened During Katherine’s Trip?
Katherine, believed to be from Portsmouth, flew to California on March 31, with plans to visit places like Sacramento, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz.
However, concern began when her family received her last text on Friday, and then she abruptly stopped responding to messages and calls. They soon discovered that Katherine never checked into the Sacramento hostel where she had said she would stay.
Alarm and Search Efforts
Katherine’s lack of contact was out of character, according to family friends. Ali Zaidi, a family friend, stated that her silence and sudden lack of communication raised concerns.
Security footage from San Francisco International Airport revealed an unsettling detail: Katherine was seen meeting a man with a bouquet of flowers shortly after arriving in the U.S. This man, identified only as “David,” had reportedly met Katherine in the UK previously.
The disappearance prompted an international search, with police in both California and the UK involved. Her details were entered into a statewide law enforcement database to alert officers across California.
Finding Katherine
In a recent update, Katherine’s father, Victor Gamboa, confirmed that she had been located safely, much to the relief of her family. However, the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear. It is still not known where she was found or why she failed to contact her family for several days.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the details of her disappearance. The Sun has reached out to the Foreign Office for additional comment.
