March 4, 2004

Family dedicates memorial bench to Jeanine Sanchez Harms

Still waiting for an arrest in disappearance

The family of Jeanine Sanchez Harms dedicated a park bench last Saturday in her honor on the lawn in front of the Los Gatos Police Station. The Los Gatos woman has been missing since July, 2001 when she went out for a night on the town with friends. She was last seen in the company of a man, who police say has not been ruled out as a suspect. A crowd of about 60 family members, friends of Jeanine, and Los Gatos police detectives joined the family for the unveiling. The bench was paid for by donations to the www.findjeanine.com fund.

It was a bittersweet affair for Jeanine's mother, Georgette Sanchez. “I was hoping the police would be making an announcement today,” she said. Jeanine's brother, Craig Sanchez told the crowd, “Most of us here today will have a memorial service and a gravesite. But Jeanine never got a chance for those things. She was gone too quickly to even say goodbye.”

Pictured sitting on the bench—which sits under a tall redwood tree— dedicated to their loved one is her father and mother, Jesus and Georgette Sanchez, while her brothers, Wayne and Craig, stand behind their parents.

“I hope people will come here and remember Jeanine,” said Georgette.

—By Julie Davis Berry