A Year-long Ordeal: The Disappearance of Zyanya Valora
Struggling family in Mira Monte, California, seeking clarity in the vanished whereabouts of their daughter, Zyanya Valora.
For over a year now, Damaris and Gabriel Valora have been living in a relentless nightmare. Their 21-year-old daughter, Zyanya, vanished from their Mira Monte, California home in the dead of night.
Zyanya's departure is believed to have taken place around 1:00 a.m. on June 25, 2024. Zyanya's condition on the autism spectrum, coupled with her battles with anxiety and depression, as shared by her parents, paint her as an individual considered "at risk."
This was not the first time Zyanya had gone missing, but her family was always quick to find her. In 2020, she disappeared in the middle of the night, and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office was notified. Surprisingly, she was found sheltering within a church - fast asleep, a Bible by her side.
Prayer was an integral part of Zyanya's life, as her mother notes, with her daily routine encompassing multiple prayer sessions.
The morning of June 25, 2024, started off as usual for Damaris. Checking on Zyanya in her room, she noticed an open window and missing screen. "I called out to Zyanya, but she wasn't there," Damaris recalled. Gabriel, who was already at work, returned home after Damaris' call, but there was still no sign of their daughter. As a result, they reported her missing to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
According to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office website, "Zyanya Valora walked away from her residence in Mira Monte, an unincorporated suburb in the Ojai Valley, on Monday, June 24th, at around 8:00 PM." The last confirmed sighting was around 8:00 p.m. on June 24, with the Valoras believing she left around 1:00 a.m. on June 25 based on their dog's behavior during the night.
"It was heart-wrenching when we realized that she wasn't in her room for a considerable amount of time," Damaris admitted.
Determined to remain composed during those crucial first 24 hours, Damaris kept quiet as law enforcement searched the area. However, as midnight struck and Zyanya was still nowhere to be found, she took to social media to raise awareness.
Equipped with helicopters, K-9 units, and extensive search efforts, law enforcement tried everything to locate Zyanya. Unfortunately, their efforts were fruitless, and the week following her disappearance brought rain, making tracking more challenging.
As the Valoras feared, Zyanya was known for her affinity for nature and the water, living near woods, a lake, and a river - all of which were exhaustively searched.
In an attempt to locate her daughter, the Valoras left bags filled with water and cookies outside churches in the area, hoping they would help Zyanya if she ventured out during the night.
Concerns over Zyanya's vulnerability due to her young demeanor and inability to defend herself persist. Despite being an adult, Zyanya can come across as much younger. "She's just naive. She's like a child," Damaris said.
Dateline reached out to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office for comment, but no response was received.
Despite this challenging situation, the Valoras expressed gratitude for their family and community's unwavering support. On the day Damaris first posted about Zyanya's disappearance, they had numerous family members streaming in. The support continued to grow, with over 20 family members joining them the following day.
They shared precious moments with Zyanya, particularly their bonding time over "Guardians of the Galaxy," her favorite movie. Zyanya had an exceptional memory, retaining an impressive detail of all her favorite films.
As of April 2025, Zyanya remains missing, and the community continues to hope for answers. A Facebook group called "Find Zyanya Valora" has been created to share updates and information.
Zyanya is 5'0" tall and weighed 90 lbs. at the time of her disappearance. She has black hair, brown eyes, and a mole beneath her left nostril. The family has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Zyanya's safe recovery.
Contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at 805-654-9511 with any information regarding Zyanya's whereabouts.
- The sudden disappearance of Zyanya Valora, a young woman battling anxiety and depression, has sparked concerns in the health-and-wellness community, particularly given her condition on the autism spectrum.
- As the general-news narrative around the mysterious disappearance of Zyanya Valora continues to unfold, crime-and-justice experts weigh in, discussing potential implications for individuals considered "at risk" in similar situations.
