Army veteran in O.C. vanishes just as she is to be honored

Authorities have launched a search for a 36-year-old college student and Army veteran who vanished just before she was to be recognized at an appreciation dinner over the weekend.

Police are characterizing the disappearance of Maribel Manriquez Ramos as suspicious.

Ramos is a former Army sergeant who served in South Korea and Iraq.
She was scheduled to be recognized at a veterans appreciation dinner, but never showed up.

Ramos was just weeks from graduating from Cal State Fullerton with a major in criminal justice. She was described at the university as a top student.

She was last seen paying her rent at her apartment in Orange last Thursday around 8:30 p.m., according to authorities and friends. Her car was found parked in front of the complex, but her keys, wallet and cellphone were missing.

Her bank account and credit cards have not been touched, police said.

“I can’t even believe this is happening,� Ramos’ sister, Lucy Gonzalez said. “I can’t believe she’s not here right now.�

“I have the best army.... I have God and I have all kinds of people, so we will find her,� Gonzalez added.

Ramos has lived in Orange for two years with a roommate.

Ramos is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has a star tattoo on her shoulder and an Aztec symbol on her back.

Friends have created a Facebook page, “Find Maribel Ramos,� to help in the search.

Anyone with information or who might have seen Ramos is asked to call the Orange Police Department at (714) 744-7403.

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