DETROIT — On Sunday, friends and family of Carla Valpeoz, a woman last seen in Peru, gathered on Belle Isle for a vigil to pray for her safe return.
“We know she is out alive,” said Maria Valpeoz, Carla's mother.
Carla was in Peru for a wedding and on a mission to see the world.
When Carla was 10 years old, she was told by doctors she would eventually become blind. She has gradually been losing her vision since then.
A tour group visiting Machu Picchu were the last people to see Carla get back to her Cusco hostel. Peruvian police tell the Valpeoz family Carla was seen on camera leaving her hostel, likely to continue exploring Peru.
The U.S. Department of State is also investigating.
“I’m asking — pleading that everyone in their prayers, in their thoughts of Carla, be active, be present, in future because we need to keep this story alive so we have a chance to find Carla,” Maria Valpeoz said.
