Psychic joins search for missing IRS agent

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 18, 2007 | by Christine Morente

MILL VALLEY -- The intuitive powers of a psychic were not enough to determine the whereabouts of Veronica "Nikki" Ruiz over the weekend, as a search continued for her on Mount Tamalpais.

"There are more than 25,000 acres," said Jeffrey Baker, a Colorado-based "empath" and spiritual healer Monday afternoon. "That's not a small

area."

Ruiz, a former Daly City resident who now lives in Mill Valley, has been missing since Dec. 3. Since then, more than 300 family members and friends have undertaken search efforts.

The Mill Valley Police Department called off the official search Dec. 5. But on Saturday, police took nine cadaver dogs to the search area at the request of Ruiz's family. Nothing was found, said Sgt. Dean Loutas.

"We don't know where she is," he said Monday. "She's not on our radar screen."

Loutas said there's no evidence of criminal activity.

"We have a person who went up the mountain, and had a sense of finality to her messages," Loutas said. "She texted friends and colleagues, saying that they've been good friends to (her), and to her sister, to take care of the family. Nobody wants to go up to look for a body. They want to go up and have a happy ending."

Erlinda Ruiz, Veronica Ruiz's mother, has put her faith in Baker, who is volunteering his time.

The Daly City resident said she first saw him on the Lifetime channel's "America's Psychic Channel" and then called him.

"I needed somebody to help me," Ruiz said. "He's really good. If you don't believe in it, you don't have any more hope. We pray for her every night. That keeps me going and strong."

Mount Tamalpais has more than 50 miles of trails within the park that connects to a 200-mile-long trail system.

A massive search is again scheduled for next weekend for the 25- year-old IRS criminal investigator.

During a news conference Monday, Baker said the family is pleading for more volunteers.

"Many more areas have been highlighted (to search)," he said. "And with the holiday season coming up, the family is pleading with you for a miracle. Set aside time in your busy holiday schedule and help a community that is in sorrow."

On Dec. 3, Veronica Ruiz called her mother and told her that she was going on a hike on Mount Tamalpais.

"I didn't get a hint," said the elder Ruiz, who works for San Francisco General Hospital. "It was a normal conversation between mother and daughter.

"She's really athletic," Ruiz said. "She likes extreme sports. She tries everything. She's a good girl."

According to the missing-person's report, Veronica Ruiz was last seen at 11 a.m., Dec. 3 at the Blithedale Trail and at the West Point Inn at noon.

She may be wearing white tennis shoes, black Capri pants, a burgundy tank top, a thin long-sleeve black jacket, possibly a black fleece vest, a gray-and-orange hydration backpack and a black iPod, usually on her left wrist with black earbuds. She is Filipina, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

On Monday, Baker, Veronica Ruiz's boyfriend Robert Voigt and about eight others went back out to search through densely wooded areas.

As to reports that Ruiz was distraught over a break-up with Voigt, family members said the two had agreed on a temporary break in their relationship.

The Holiday Inn Express on Shoreline Highway has been the family's command center for the past couple of weeks.

According to Baker, he has not gone to Ruiz's usual spots.

"I've been honing in on areas of interest on where she might be through an empathic connection with her," he said. "If I get a feeling, I'll stop and search that area. ... We'll find her. I'm 100 percent confident."

Maricris Ruiz, the missing woman's sister, said she will exhaust all efforts until Veronica is found.

"I need to rule it out that she's on that mountain," said the 33- year-old who is studying nuclear medicine at Kaiser Permanente in South San Francisco. "My gut tells me she's on that mountain."

People are asked to call the Mill Valley Police Department at 415- 389-4100, if you have information about Veronica Ruiz.

For further information or to find out how to assist in the search for Veronica Ruiz, clock on the family's Web site, http:// www.helpfindveronicaruiz.com.

Staff writer Christine Morente covers faith, families and North County. She can be reached at 650-348-4333 or at cmorente@bayareanewsgroup.com.