On March 23rd, Elizabeth Salgado moved to Provo, Utah to learn English after serving a mission in Mexico for the Mormon Church.
The 26-year-old had received a scholarship to the Nomen Global Language Center. Family members say she was ready and excited for the new adventure.
But on April 16th, Elizabeth disappeared.
Classmates say they last saw her after class that afternoon as she headed home to her apartment, about 18 blocks from the school. Since then, there has no activity on her cellphone or bank accounts.
“I believe somebody took her by force,” Rudemberth Salgado, Saldago’s uncle, said at a recent press conference. “I know right now she is praying for us to rescue her.”
The case has now attracted national attention, in part due to the efforts of Elizabeth Smart and her father, Ed. Elizabeth, now 27, was kidnapped from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002 and held captive for nine months before being rescued.
"The importance of the public and media's help in rescuing missing persons like Elizabeth Salgado can't be overstated," said Smart, who attended a press conference on April 24th with her father.
Smart and her father, Ed Smart, took part in a press conference to urge continued support and coverage of the case.
"I do believe that she's alive and we can find her," Smart said as she stood alongside Salgado’s family members. "The one thing that I continually hope and pray for is that every child that is missing can have the same coverage, have the same prayers and have the same support that I had."
Salgado's parents arrived in Utah last week from Mexico to help search for their daughter. Salgado is one of six siblings, and her uncle says the family scrambled to get last minute visas in order to help search.
On Thursday, family members feared the worst when a suitcase with a body inside was found along a highway in nearby Salt Lake City by a crew installing a cable barrier. Everyone held their breath until officials confirmed the body was not that of Salgado.
Provo Police Chief John King told NBC Salt Lake City affiliate KSL that there is no evidence to suggest Salgado has been abducted, but her disappearance is suspicious. Police have questioned Salgado’s classmates, roommates, friends, and those she worked with at a local restaurant. Officials also questioned a young man who had reportedly repeatedly asked Salgado out on dates, but whom she turned down.
"It's very hard to explain the feeling that we're feeling right now," Salgado’s uncle Rudemberth said. "If you have a daughter or a sister, you would feel the same way not to be able to see them anymore."
Salgado’s parents do not speak English, but family spokeswoman Sylvia Haro told NBC Elizabeth’s mother stated Friday, “"I forgive the person that has her if he has done something to her. But let her go free."
Elizabeth Salgado is described as 5’4” tall, weighing between 120 and 130 pounds with long black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a denim jacket, blue jeans, and knee-high black or brown boots. If you have any information about Salgado’s whereabouts or know anything that can help, please call the Provo Police Department at 801-852-6210. There is currently a $5,000 reward for information leading to the location of Salgado.