Missing cheerleader Sierra LaMar, 15, was into drugs

Publish date: 2024-06-13

A 15-year-old girl who disappeared on her way to school five years ago used to smoke marijuana and take ecstasy, her friends told her accused killer's murder trial.

High school cheerleader Sierra LaMar vanished in Morgan Hill, California, on March 16, 2012, as she headed to a bus stop.

The murder trial against her accused killer Antolin Garcia-Torres is now underway.  

During the search, Sierra was portrayed as clean cut and as 'Everyone's Daughter'.

But at Garcia-Torres' trial, her friends from Fremont testified that she had used marijuana and ecstasy, was unhappy about moving to a different neighborhood, and had links to the 'drug underworld', the Mercury News reports. 

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Investigators discovered a cryptic note in missing cheerleader Sierra LaMar's Spanish notebook that seemed to suggest she'd ran away to San Francisco. But prosecutors argue the note is likely a sick joke written by one of Sierra's classmates Sierra's body has never been found since her 2012 disappearance

Friends of missing cheerleader Sierra LaMar have told her accused killer's murder trial that the 15-year-old took drugs  and had links to the criminal underworld. During the search, Sierra was portrayed as clean cut and as 'Everyone's Daughter'

Her friend Shannon Foreman reluctantly told the court that Sierra had texted that she was 'excited about going to Freemont and popping pills,' the day she disappeared.

Foreman also said she had seen Sierra take ecstasy one or two times before.

Garcia-Torres' defense team claim the teenager had contact with people in the criminal underworld and could have either run away or been abducted by drug dealers.

But her friends dismissed the suggestion, and agreed with the prosecution that her behavior was just 'normal teenage stuff'.    

Antolin Garcia-Torres (pictured) is standing trial for the teenager's murder, despite the fact her body has never been found. His car was seen near LaMar's home on the day she went missing Antolin Garcia-Torres

Antolin Garcia-Torres (pictured left in his mugshot and right in court in 2012) is standing trial for the teenager's murder, despite the fact her body has never been found. His car was seen near LaMar's home on the day she went missing

Friends told the court that Sierra (pictured) didn't have credit cards, a bank account, or a driver's license, casting doubt on her ability to disappear on her own

Friends reluctantly told the court that Sierra (pictured) had texted that she was 'excited about going to Freemont and popping pills,' the day she disappeared. Foreman also said she had seen Sierra take ecstasy one or two times before. 

Garcia-Torres is from San Martin, California, just a few miles from Sierra's home in Morgan Hill. 

The 25-year-old has pleaded not guilty. If he is convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life in prison without parole.

However, if he is acquitted by Santa Clara County Superior Court, he cannot be tried again for the murder, even if Sierra’s body is found or other incriminating evidence surfaces. 

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Garcia-Torres is the owner of a red car caught on surveillance camera near her home on March 16, the day of her disappearance, which was seized by police before his arrest.

Sierra hasn't been seen or heard from since she left her home in Morgan Hill to go to school on March 16, 2012. Authorities believe she was kidnapped while walking to a bus stop. 

Authorities arrested Garcia-Torres two months after her disappearance at the convenience store where he worked.  

The first breakthrough in the case came in the discovery of Garcia-Torres' red Volkswagen Jetta. 

Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished. Her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that

Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished. Her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that

A search for the car began after it was captured on several surveillance videos close to the missing teen's home and the area where authorities recovered some of her belongings. 

Sierra's cellphone was found near the side of the road the day after she vanished.

Her Juicy brand black and pink purse with clothes folded neatly inside was found the day after that. 

There is also evidence linking his DNA to clothing found in Sierra's abandoned backpack, which was tossed in a shed not far from her home. 

The reveal dirt stains and reflective beads from the road were found on her jeans, indicating she was dragged, according to Fox 5.

Legal Analyst Steven Clark said prosecutors are relying heavily on forensic DNA evidence to prove Garcia-Torres' guilt.

He said: 'What the DA needs to do is establish through anecdotal evidence by calling Sierra's mother and her friends is that this is not a girl who would run away. This is not a girl who would not communicate with her mom.' 

Following the incident, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said it appeared to be a random act of violence.

According to Fox, Garcia Torres sat through the opening statements looking clean shaven and emotionless.  

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