Oceanside police pause search for missing mother Angelica Brophy
Jul 22, 2026
The Oceanside Police Department’s search for a nurse and mother who vanished more than two weeks ago has been put on pause, an OPD spokesperson told NBC 7 Tuesday.
The investigation into Angelica Brophy’s disappearance has reached the point where all available search and rescue resources hav
e been utilized, the spokesperson said.
Police said they are still investigating every lead and will coordinate with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and California State Parks personnel this week to review the best steps moving forward.
“I want to emphasize that there is still no evidence of foul play in this case. However, we will continue to work closely with the Brophy family to locate Angelica,” OPD Chief Taurino Valdovinos said.
Brophy, a Kaiser emergency room nurse and mother of two, was last seen July 6. She was spotted at Harrah’s Casino in Valley Center that afternoon. About an hour later, she was seen alone in her car at Palomar Mountain State Park.
Her disappearance has become a mystery, but her family refuses to give up hope.
“If Angelica somehow hears this or sees this: ‘We love you, Chinn. We’re here for you. You’re not alone,” said Rafael Fabregas, one of Brophy’s five older brothers, using the siblings’ nickname for their sister.
Fabregas said the decision by law enforcement to end the physical search has not changed the determination of family, friends and strangers who continue looking for Brophy.
“We’re still encouraged. We’re still looking. It may not be to the extent that we would ideally want to see, the intensity that we would ideally want to see. I’m not being critical at all of the efforts. it’s been quite extensive,” Fabregas said.
Fabregas said there are many theories about what may have happened, but he does not believe there is a chance she could have harmed herself in the wilderness.
“It could be anything. She could be in need of rescue. She could be abducted,” he said. “We’ve considered every possible outcome. Nothing is too incredible or too outlandish. We will pursue everything.”
The family said every tip, no matter how small, is passed on to police. Volunteers also continue joining the search effort.
Oceanside police said tips led to another three multi-agency searches for Brophy. Crews from U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego police, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and California State Parks assisted OPD and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
“Despite these extensive efforts, Angelica Brophy has not been located. At this time, coordinated ground search operations in Palomar Mountain State Park have been suspended,” Oceanside police said in a statement Wednesday.
OPD said their investigation remains active and any new leads will be investigated.
“It is frustrating, but we’re still determined. We know she’s out there,” Fabregas said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.
...read more
read less