Sahray Astina Barber: Bronze medalist, Cal State San Bernardino student found

UPDATE 3/27/15 – Sahray has sent out an open letter regarding what happened to her when she went missing.

Many believed she had been abducted because her computer was found thrown into some bushes. In her letter she admits that she was the one that put them there after she became frustrated because it was no longer working.

Here is her complete letter:

I need to start by thanking everyone.

To my family and friends, the entire San Bernardino Police Department, any and all the government officials and organizations, and everyone that prayed and assisted in finding me. Thank you. Thank you so much for all the love and support, and all the time, effort and resources you put into brining me home. Most of all I need to thank God. I felt God’s protection and guidance the whole way, and I know I wouldn’t have made it unharmed through all I did without it. I ask for every ones forgiveness, most especially my wonderful family for all the worry and long nights I caused you, and all the amazing men, women, dogs and horses that searched for me through so many nights and days.

I was honestly shocked when I learned from S.B.P.D. personnel and my family all that had been done to locate me. I expected to be another missing person’s case and, having not planned to return, I’d chosen not to look back or pay any mind to any searches or investigations related to my disappearance. I never could have imagined any of this, just like I had no clue what the impact of my leaving would have on so many lives.

I have always striven to do my best in school. In High School, like a lot of people, I felt the all expectations and pressures that came with achieving and maintaining a high GPA. I graduated High School with Honors. Since I started my Associates in Graphic Design, I’ve had my share of easy and tough classes, and good and bad quarters, some of which I felt I barely made it through. I’d received some scary low grades in one quarter but I felt good going into my final quarter.

Really good actually, I felt I had a great recipe for a successful conclusion to my first leg of college.

Unfortunately, I tried to keep myself standing tall as I was hit by the various stresses, pressures, class deadlines, and life challenges I was inexperienced in such as: losing my vehicle in a traffic accident and having to rely on friends and family for transportation, my computer equipment and software needed to complete my assignments becoming inoperable and having a hard time keeping up with my class work as a result, and through all of this the ever looming portfolio show and end of my job.

By not reaching out to family or even school officials, I created a recipe for disaster. I was supposed to be graduating, but instead of having my perfect quarter, things fell apart. I was scared and it felt like the whole world was pressing down on me. Things got so bad that I didn’t know what to say or HOW to ask for help. I had dug a hole so deep, that I felt entirely hopeless. That Monday morning (March 9, 2015) when I reached the gate, I felt I needed to lighten my load. I didn’t intend on ever coming back or being found so I dropped my stuff over the wall and walked away with just a bit of cash. Eventually public transportation and God’s guidance took me to Los Angeles.

During the 10 days I was gone, God brought me in contact with many people in Los Angeles. I could feel his guidance and protection through them. Some of them were like angels, helping me stay alive, or teaching me the things God had brought me there to learn. To everyone I met in L.A. who helped me in even the smallest way whether you know it or not, I would like to thank you all very much as well.

The majority of my time in L.A. was spent in two different hospitals under a fictitious name. On the day I was released from the second hospital, I was blessed by making the acquaintance of another angel. She had no idea who I was, she just realized I wasn’t where I belonged and wanted to help me. She convinced me to open up to her and then to let her call my dad. She was like God’s messenger telling me my journey was complete and it was time to return home.

In closing, I know what I did was incredibly dumb and that I am only here by the grace of God. But I am not at all ashamed of what I did. I know that I did what I had to do, and went where I needed to be. Now I know I am back where I belong and I have a new appreciation for myself and for all of the amazing people that I have in my life. I have and am getting the help and support I need as I now work on getting my life back on track.

God Bless with Sincere Love and Many Thanks,

-Sahray Barber

UPDATE 3/20/15 – Sahray Barber has been found and contacted her family on Thursday night. According to ABC7, “Lt. Rich Lawhead with the San Bernardino Police Department said Barber contacted her family after seeing media reports on her disappearance.”

Sahray had been in the Los Angeles area the whole time and NBC4 reported she had no idea people were searching for her. When she saw her picture on the TV news, she called her parents who then called detectives, NBC4 reported.

But, this does not explain why her laptop and cell phone was found in the bushes .

During the search for Barber, thousands of dollars were spent. Investigators said that criminal action will be sought if they determine anyone intentionally misled them. Is it possible that someone threw Sahray’s computer and cell phone into the bushes to make it look as though she had been taken?

Unless there is evidence of foul play, police do not put as much effort into looking for a missing person as they assume they left of their own freewill. So something like a laptop thrown into the bushes would make it seem as though she was abducted.

The Police picked her up in LA and brought her to her family. The family will not discuss the circumstances of her disappearance with the media. They did release a statement:

“God has righteously answered all of our prayers in guiding Sahray back to us. For this we are ecstatic and so very thankful. We ask that you respect our privacy and you allow law enforcement to continue their investigation unhindered. A huge worldwide Thank You for all the prayers and support. God Bless!”

Update March 15, 2015
Two people considered a Persons of Interests are being questioned in the case of missing Sahray Barber

Here is a flyer about Sahray. Please, share this or even print it out for your neighborhood. Any way that can help find Sahray Barber. ~Sahray’s Old Roommate, Cynthia

Vigil and Awards March 13, 2015
–> A vigil was held for Sahray Barber outside the Art Institute where Sahray worked as a librain and studied. Stephen Barber, His wife, and Sahray sister also attended the vigil along with a awards Ceremony in Riverside. Sahray Barber won a bronze award for editorial layout of a project titled “Seven Days, Five Ways.” Sahray received some of the loudest applause when her name was announced.

The search is still commencing, for the missing 22 year old, several pieces of evidence are being analyzed in the crime lab, related to her disappearance. Read More
March 13, 2015 still missing as the search efforts continue.

March 9, 2015 Monday 6 a.m 22 year old Sahray Astina Barber was last seen leaving her residence located at 1505 W. Northpark Blvd, on her way to the bus stop and to work. Police investigating the disappearance found her cellphone and laptop in the bushes.

San Bernardino Police Search for clues in the case of this missing woman.
[googlemaps https://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=554250″ width=”476″>
ABC 7 News
Sahray Astina Barber is
5 feet 8 inches at 125 pounds
red-brown Long Straight hair green eyes

Please Contact:
Detective Dan Han at 909-384-5623
Detective’s bureau at 909-384-5615
Refer to case number 2015-26028

1505 W. Northpark Blvd