Local Social Worker and Activist Goes Missing in Peru
Community organizations are working to support the search.
A coalition of community organizations is working to support a search for a Detroit woman who has gone missing in South America. Carla Valpeoz traveled to Peru for a wedding earlier this month. She hasn’t been seen since December 12 and missed her returning flight to the United States.
Laura Castro is with the social justice organization Taproot Sanctuary. She says Valpeoz’s friends, family and colleagues in Metro Detroit are organizing volunteers for a search party in and around Cusco, Peru. She says they hope people in this area can can share information about people and organizations in Peru that may be able to help.
“That’s kind of where we’re all centering our efforts,” Castro says.
Valpeoz is blind and a seasoned traveler. Castro says she often traveled alone.
Local organizers are hoping a petition will encourage lawmakers to direct resources toward the search. Castro says the State Department is investigating Valpeoz’s disappearance. A prayer vigil is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. on Belle Isle.
