MENDOCINO
COAST NEWS
Authorities are searching for Brianna Zunino Denison, 19, the daughter of Bridgette Denison of Reno, Nev., and granddaughter of Bob and Barbara Zunino of Mendocino. The Santa Barbara City College student disappeared during a trip to Reno.
According to online news reports, on Tuesday the FBI and two investigators from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children joined the search for Denison, who vanished early Sunday morning from a home where she was staying with friends.
Brianna attended Mendocino schools for six years, from third through eighth grade. She is now a psychology student and was due back at school Monday.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reported: "Denison ... was last seen about 4 a.m. Sunday after she had gone to her friend's home after a night of partying with her girlfriends. The women had gone to various activities in Reno associated with SWAT 72' — an organized three-day college snowboarding event at Squaw Valley USA on Friday through Monday. This was her third year attending the event.
"The time frame of her disappearance was about five hours. Her friends in the house couldn't find her at 9 a.m."
Reno Police Lt. Robert McDonald, who heads the robbery/homicide unit, listed the following reasons why Denison's disappearance is being treated as suspicious:
- Suspected blood, about the size of a silver dollar, was found on a pillow she was using. The blood is being tested.
- Her clothing, cell phone, purse and shoes remained at the house. She might have left the home barefoot and wore a thin, sleeveless top and sweatpants. The temperature in Reno about 5 a.m. Sunday was 33 degrees.
- She was sleeping on a couch inches away from an unlocked, glass front door. Anyone looking inside could have seen her.
- A 24-inch brown stuffed bear Denison's friend gave her to support the pillow is missing.
- Described as a responsible "good girl" who has a close relationship with her mother, Denison has made no contact with her family. She also has a younger brother, Brighton.
According to the Reno Police Department Website, "... police are also hoping to speak with the driver of a beige or light brown Chevrolet or GMC suburban-style SUV who provided a ride to the Mackay Court address for a friend of Denison's who lived there to determine if he saw anything unusual. He is described as being a white male, possibly of Latin descent, about 45-years of age of medium stature and well dressed. The vehicle was photographed by security cameras as it left the Sands Casino via the Arlington Street driveway."
Denison is described as white, 5 feet tall, 98 pounds, with long dark brown hair and blue eyes. She was possibly wearing light blue or pink sweat pants and a white tank top.
Anyone with information about her disappearance should call the tip line at (775) 745-3521. Information can also be called into the Secret Witness Program at (775) 322-4900, or the Reno Police Department Detective Division at (775) 334-2188, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1-800-843-5678 (1-9-800-THE-LOST).
The Reno Gazette-Journal quoted her grandfather, Bob Zunino, as saying, "'From day one, it was love at first sight. This little girl didn't forget birthdays, or a little note, or anniversaries. ... If she's with someone now, we want her back. We want her back.'"
Friends have set up a "Find Bri" page on the social networking site Facebook.com.