UPDATE: An El Paso family is in a desperate search for their daughter, 24-year-old Sydney Marquez, who vanished while visiting friends in Houston. She was last seen on December 11, 2023, near the 9100 block of Bellaire Boulevard. Investigators have confirmed that video from a METRO bus she may have boarded has been retrieved, intensifying the urgency of the search.
Witnesses reported seeing Sydney walking away after leaving a friend’s vehicle running. Her father, Raul Marquez, has been vocal in his plea for help, emphasizing that obtaining the bus footage is critical for understanding her disappearance. “The car was running. We have video of her going northbound on Ranchester. That’s the last solid evidence we have,” he stated. “That footage is a matter of life and death.”
The METRO Police Department (MPD) is collaborating with the Houston Police Department (HPD) in the ongoing investigation. Initially, a remote download of the requested bus footage was unavailable, but MPD has since managed to manually retrieve it and turn it over to HPD, which is now leading the investigation.
“Time’s not on our side,” said Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch. “She’s a young girl who was walking late at night, not knowing the area. We just want to get her home safe.”
Sydney, who lives and works in El Paso, is known to have been experiencing mental health challenges. Her father revealed that she has been diagnosed with late-onset bipolar disorder and has exhibited concerning behavior over the past few months. “We saw some changes—some behavior,” he said.
The search for Sydney is critical, with Texas EquuSearch providing assistance. Authorities stress the importance of time in this case, as each passing moment raises concerns for her safety.
According to police, Sydney is described as:
- 5 feet 4 inches tall
- Approximately 120 pounds
- Short reddish-brown hair
- Brown eyes
- Wears glasses
- Has a four-leaf clover tattoo on her left wrist
In a heartfelt message to his daughter, Raul said, “Sydney, you need to come home now. We miss you. We love you. Christmas is around the corner.” A witness has indicated that Sydney may have boarded the bus with two men who allegedly prevented her from using a phone offered to her at the bus stop. The retrieved video is crucial for identifying these individuals.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding Sydney Marquez’s whereabouts to contact the Houston Police Department at (832) 394-1840 or Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500. Time is of the essence, and the family is pleading for the public’s help in bringing Sydney home safely.
