LLESENIA BOLORIN Still Searching for a Loved One  
     There are thousands of missing people reported every day, cases that sometimes end in safe return, injury or even death. But when they're never found, dead or alive, it's the hardest to cope with.
Kidnapping has made a major impact on our society, and recent statistics make it look like a plague. This epidemic is worse than any cold or flu. It's taking our children away, keeping them and hiding them until it's too late. This just isn't an interesting movie or novel. It's real and becoming too familiar. In fact, you never know how close to home this crime can hit until you really have to face it. crime can hit until you really have to face it.

     Recently I've had to sit and contemplate the truth, that my world is filled with unnecessary horrors. About a month ago, my journalism teacher at Hayward High School was told about a case that was never solved. This case was familiar to him because he knew friends of the victim. I was given all the information he had, and we begin the story from there.

     Christine Eastin was a graduate of Sunset High School and was kidnapped in 1971. Her friend, Judy Verhoek, is the one who brought the story to our attention.  Even though it's been almost 30 years since Christine's disappearance, her sister, Vicki Eastin Cordova and Verhoek still keep the search going.

      After talking to Cordova, I learned that Christine was a stable teenager who showed no signs of being a runaway.  In fact, she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen.  Vicki explained that the day of the kidnapping, Jan. 18, Christine was going shopping, she told her mom and sister that she was going to wash and return the car she borrowed from her friend George Sponsel.  He worked at Jack in the Box on Mission Boulevard in Hayward didn't get the (which was a 1969 Ford Maverick) back.  Sponsel called the Eastin house later that night wondering where Christine was.  the next day the car was found at Charlie's (self-service) Car Wash located at 25400 Mission Blvd., Hayward.  It was washed and the doors locked.

     Officer Dave Lugaro was the first officer on the case, but he is no longer involved and has since relocated.  The case wasn't active for long.  Police felt that there was not enough evidence to keep it open.  Assumptions were that it was a simple run away case.  Her family held a vigil, and friends came out to celebrate the life of Christine and bring hope to the search.		      Not long after Christine's disappearance, her mother passed away.  "She shouldn't have had to die not knowing where her daughter was," said hayward police Detective Frank Daley, who is now in charge of the case.

     In May 1994, the case was reopended, and Daley has been leading the investigation since.  I meth with Detective Daley, and he restated all the facts about the case.  But, unfortunately, there were no new leads to talk about.  However, I did learn that there is so much more than just a case of a teenage run away.   

     Some files and evidence from the case were lost, and no one seems to know anything about where they went.

     The search has not ended, and authorities are very determined. They feel there's someone out there who knows something about this case and will someday come forward with something.

Christine could have been anyone's 19-year-old daughter or sister or best friend. If you remember Christine Eastin or know anything about this case, please contact Detective Daley at 510.293.7066 or call the Hayward Police Department.