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Missing Laurence Kailanii Brannum 
Laurence, approximately 2009 Date reported missing : 04/15/2009 Missing location (approx) : Santa Maria, California Missing classification : Lost/Injured Missing Gender : Male Ethnicity : Black DOB : 06/30/1999 (22) Age at the time of disappearance: 9 years old Height / Weight : 4'9, 64 pounds Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos : African-American male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Laurence goes by his middle name, Kailanii. Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Laurence was last seen in Santa Maria, California at 10:00 a.m. on April 15, 2009. He was camping in the area with friends. While playing on the rocks at the north end of Paradise Beach, near Mussel Rock, Laurence was knocked over by a wave and swept out to sea. The area where he was is very remote and accessible only by foot, and you had to walk for three hours to get cellular phone reception, so the authorities didn't begin the search of Laurence until after 4:00 p.m. An extensive search turned up no sign of him or his body. The ocean in that area is rough and very dangerous, and others have died after being swept into the water in similar circumstances. Laurence was adopted by a single woman as an infant; she also adopted his three older siblings. His family describes him as an outdoorsy and adventurous child who loved animals, nature, sports and memorizing Bible verses. He was in the third grade at Harloe Elementary School at the time of his disappearance. He is presumed to have drowned, but he remains listed as Date reported missing : his body has never been recovered. Other information and links : ncy Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office 805-681-4100 September 2021 updates and sources The National Center For Missing and Exploited Children The Times Press-Recorder KSBY 6 The San Luis Obispo Tribune The Lompoco Record Up In The Attic October 12, 2004. December 9, 2012; two pictures added. |