Cold Case: The Disappearance of Pamela Pedro in Atwater, CA

by Jessica

There are many cases of missing people throughout the United States, the majority of which don't garner headlines or feature on the evening news. Worse, many of these cases don't have a wealth of information to aid law enforcement. In these cases, the smallest morsel of information could make a huge difference to loved ones and investigators. 

Pamela Pedro 

One of these cases happened in Atwater, CA when 17 year old Pamela Pedro went missing the morning of September 13, 1982. That Monday, Pamela, or Pam as her friends called her, was last seen before school outside of Atwater High School on the pay phone near the front office. It is unknown who she was speaking with and unclear what happened to Pamela afterwards. 

In 1982, Atwater High School was the only High School in the Central Valley town and Pamela was a senior and an advanced student who had plans to graduate early. Not only was she a good student but that dedication carried over to other talents. She had a black belt in karate and was a classical pianist.  

Atwater was a town of just over 17,000 people in the 1980's but was bordered by many smaller towns and rural areas. At the time it only had a single High School, Atwater High School, and it was about 3 miles from where Pamela lived with her family on Rainbow Lane. 

Map of Pedro home to Atwater High School via google maps

According to the Charley Project, on that Monday, her mother went to the school to pick her up at 1:30pm. When she arrived, Pamela was not waiting for her. She waited and then contacted the office asking them to make announcement looking for Pamela. She did not respond. At 4:30pm on this Monday, her family attempted to report their daughter missing to police. They were told that they needed to wait 24 hours before they could make a report. During that time Pamela was not found and evidence about what happened to her has not surfaced. 

Due to a lack of evidence, it's unclear how to classify Pamela Pedro's case. It's unknown if she decided to run away or if she met with foul play. What is known is that her family and loved ones miss her terribly and want to either find Pamela or information in her case. 

When Pamela went missing she was described as an Asian female of Filipino descent. She was 5 feet 1 inches in height and about 110 pounds. She was wearing blue corduroy pants, a pair of blue Nike sneakers and a blue and pink checkered shirt. Pamela wore glasses and at the time had braces. Some of her defining features included her black hair, dark brown eyes, a dimple on her left cheek and a small mole under her right eye. 

Pamela Pedro w/glasses via Charley Project

Since 1982, Pamela has not applied for a driver's license or used her social security card. 

Pamela Pedro Age Progression to Age 48

In 2012, a candlelight vigil was held at Atwater High School by students and family for Pamela Pedro. 

In September it will have been 38 years since Pamela Pedro was last seen in Atwater. Without evidence police have no way to continue searching for answers in her disappearance. In the ensuing years her father passed away never having answers. Her family and police continue to search for her. If you have any information about this case please call the Merced County Sheriff's Major Crime Unit at 209-385-7472. 

More Information:

Pamela Ann Pedro, The Charley Project: http://charleyproject.org/case/pamela-ann-pedro

"Candlelight Vigil for Missing Atwater High Teen Scheduled for Saturday." (2012 Sept 12). Merced Sun-Star: https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/article3270430.html.