Paula Lopez Found, Missing California Anchorwoman Sparks Scare, Avid Missing Persons Search, Returns Safely Home with No Explanation

Reports confirm that Paula Lopez, a popular California anchorwoman for KEYT-TV Channel 3, returned safely home Wednesday evening (Feb. 27) after she was reported missing by family members earlier in the day. Apparently Lopez was last seen at her Santa Barbara home Wednesday morning when the missing persons scare began. Because of Lopez's prestigious standing in the community, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office launched an avid search right away, but to no avail. Lopez then safely returned home later that evening, with no further explanation or excuse.

Wednesday morning just a little after 10 a.m., Lopez's family member alerted the police that the 48-year-old broadcaster had gone missing. According to Sheriff spokeswoman Kelly Hoover, Lopez was last seen near her home on Cathedral Oaks and North San Marcos Road. KEYT-TV station General Manager Mark Danielson promptly released this statement:

"This morning we learned that a beloved member of the KEYT family, Paula Lopez has gone missing.  We have been in touch with her family and know they, as well as local authorities, are doing everything possible to find her safe and sound.  It is clearly a difficult time for her family and our own family at KEYT.  All of us at KEYT stand ready to assist in any way we can.  For now, on behalf of KEYT and NPG of California our thoughts and prayers are extended to Paula as well as her family and those searching to find her.  We hope for her safe and speedy return."

The sheriff's department also released a statement reading, "The last time her family talked to her was at 9:30 a.m. She has not been seen or heard from since. No foul play is suspected but her family is concerned about her welfare." It's unknown why the family filed a missing persons report so quickly after she was last seen.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office then launched a thorough search, assisted by K-9 units and a Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit helicopter. Lopez could not be located.

But then later that afternoon, family members contacted the police, letting them know that Lopez had returned home safe and sound. Officials released this statement:

 "At around 5:30 p.m. tonight, her family members called Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Public Safety Dispatch to report that she is home and safe. When deputies responded to her residence they confirmed she was there and no longer missing... We are not commenting on the reasons surrounding why Ms. Lopez went missing due to the fact it is a private family matter."

According to the LA Times, "News footage showed Lopez's husband, Frank Ochoa, arriving at the home Wednesday night in his gray Lexus with what appeared to be a woman in the passenger's seat."

Lopez, who started off at KEYT as an intern in 1985, left the station for a short period of time to anchor in LA. She then returned to Channel 3 in 1996 and has worked there ever since as a co-anchor for the 11 p.m. broadcast. Lopez is married to Superior Court judge Frank Ochoa and the couple has three children together.