The body of a California mother who disappeared after she set out on a road trip last year has finally been found.
37-year-old Erika Lloyd was last seen on June 14 as she took a ‘pandemic road trip’ to visit the Joshua Tree National Park.
Her damaged black Honda Accord was found abandoned at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park on June 16. The back and front windows of her car had been smashed and reports said that the airbag went off.
After almost eight months, hikers found the remains of the mother-of-one on a desert trail in Wonder Valley about 25km northeast of Joshua Tree National Park.
Lloyd’s grieving brother, Colin, shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, writing: “It is with a heavy heart we announce that the remains have been identified by San Bernardino County’s Sheriff Department as Erika.
“Close to 8 months have passed since Erika disappeared and we have been blessed by countless efforts of selflessness and compassion on part of the community and our family.”
Colin also shared photos of the memorial garden they created near the area where Erika’s remains were found.
“Erika adored everyone; she left a bright smile on everyone’s heart; she would remind you of who you truly were and how important and loved you were; she warmed your soul. Let us hold her spirit dearly, and allow it to work through us to serve others (what she would want us to do).”
Lloyd’s heartbroken parents, Ruth and Wayne, told KESQ that their daughter took the road trip to have a change of scenery during the lockdown.
“Being locked down for almost three months, not being able to work and trying to home school her son – it was starting to get to her,” Ruth said.
Last year, Ruth told the news network that she was taking care of 12-year-old grandson, who was constantly asking about his mother.
“He says ‘Are you calling about my mom? Are you talking to people?’ … So he misses her.”
The mother’s death is still being investigated.
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Replaced!