ADRIAN, Mich. — The family of 29-year-old BriAnna Soto said if a person is missing for more than a year, you search harder.
"I just would really like for someone to just come forward and tell us where's she's at," said Heather Frank, Soto's mother.
Soto, of Adrian, Michigan, was last seen on May 19, 2023. She is 5 foot, 3 inches tall, with red hair and green eyes. She has multiple tattoos, including music notes on her arms. But despite their efforts to search for her, Soto's family said their leads have since run dry, and the lack of answers has been devastating.
Soto's family has remembered every detail by heart. But her mother says they are losing hope that she's alive.
"It's just it's really hard. I never ever thought I'd ever have to go through something like this," said Frank. "I think somebody hurt her. I don't think BriAnna's alive anymore. I can't feel her in my heart like I can my other two girls."
The detective overseeing this missing person investigation, Detective Sergeant Kevin Putnam, said Soto's mother is not alone in her suspicions. He said over this last year there has been no bank card transactions, no hospital visits, no social media posts and no cell phone use.
"Lack of activity would tend to imply this is not just a missing person case, so this is being a no risk case scenario. I'm happy with how many people have come forward to try and help with us," he said. "That's always going to be the greatest impediment. Is people coming forward to help with stuff."
That's why after a year, Soto's family said they need the community's help now more than ever.
"The more I am out there, the more I'm pushing those flyers, the more I am wearing this t-shirt, just walking around," said Brittany Bentley, Soto's sister. While passing out flyers, she wore a shirt with a picture of her sister.
Bentley has formed search parties with family and friends. They have combed through Adrian and surrounding areas. She said her sister struggled from health complications and substance abuse, but she was a human being who deserves to be returned to her family.
"She tried to be a good person," said Bentley. "You know, she didn't make the best decisions, but everybody's going through life trying to make those snap decisions on what's best for them."
The community is encouraged to come forward if they have answers to Soto's disappearance. If you have any information, contact the Adrian Police Department at 517-264-4808.
Frank said even if the search and investigation leads to bad news, she will at least be able to heal and move forward with their memories.
"That's all I have, is just memories from when she was a baby, to March or May or April of last year," she said. "That's all I got."
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