Missing
Madeline Benitez
Benitez, approximately 2011
Date and time person was reported missing : 10/29/2011
Missing location (approx) :
Santa Cruz, California
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
White
DOB : 08/22/1947 (73)
Age at the time of disappearance: 64 years old
Height / Weight : 5'4 - 5'6, 200 pounds
Medical conditions : Benitez has a history of mental illness. She was apparently not taking her medication at the time of her disappearance.
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: Caucasian female. Brown hair, green eyes. Benitez's ears are pierced.
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Benitez was last seen in Santa Cruz, California on October 29, 2011. She has never been heard from again. She was reported missing on November 8, nine days after the last time she showed up for work. She worked at a Burger King restaurant in Capitola, California once a week, and attended church every Sunday.
When a friend checked Benitez's apartment in the 1600 block of Soquel Avenue, nothing was out of place or missing. Benitez marked off each day on her calendar; the last mark had been on October 29, the day she was last seen by coworkers.
Authorities believe she may be with a local homeless man known only as Randy; he often stays in Capitola. He's described as Caucasian, about 5'8 with a slender build and a brown and gray beard. He was in his fifties in 2011.
The circumstances of Benitez's disappearance are unclear. She is originally from New York City. Her case remains unsolved.
Other information and links : ncy
Santa Cruz Police Department
831-420-5870
September 2021 updates and sources
California Attorney General's Office
The Santa Cruz Sentinel
The San Jose Mercury News
October 12, 2004. June 6, 2018; .
Interactive Missing Person Search Map
