Information sought on two missing Butte County women who were at a Susanville bank the day they went missing

According to a statement from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, on July 21, Dolores Sakamoto, 84, of Chico, and her daughter, Vivian Luna, 64, of Chico were reported missing by a neighbor.

According to bank records, the two women traveled to Susanville the day they were reported missing, the BCSO reports.

After reviewing the circumstances of the investigation, the California Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert for Sakamoto, Luna, and their vehicle on July 23. Over the past three weeks, detectives, with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office have been attempting to locate Sakamoto and Luna.

During the investigation, detectives determined Sakamoto and Luna left their residence in a black 1996 Lexus ES 300, California license plate number 6KSP061, on July 21, 2024. Over the past three weeks, detectives have utilized bank records, cellular telephone records and automated license plate readers to assist with this investigation.

Based on bank records, detectives determined Sakamoto and Luna traveled to Susanville, California on July 21, 2024. Detectives located video surveillance which confirmed this information.

Detectives also located cellular telephone records indicating the phone belonging to Luna traveled to the area near the Mount Shasta Ski Park on July 22, 2024. On July 23, 2024, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office searched the area near the Mount Shasta Ski Park. The California Highway Patrol also used an aircraft to search the area.

BCSO has been in contact with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has conducted additional searches in the Mount Shasta area. To date they have not been able to locate Sakamoto, Luna, or their vehicle. BCSO is continuing to assist with the search.

BCSO detectives continue to diligently investigate this case. BCSO encourages anyone with pertinent information to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Caleb Angel at (530) 538-7322.