The family and friends of a missing California woman who has not been seen or heard since early December are concerned for her safety and are asking the public to help her locate her.
Kolby Story, 32, of Mar Vista, was last seen in the early hours of December 7, 2020, at block 12300 on Pacific Avenue, near Venice Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Kolby’s older brother Josh Story told Dateline that Kolby had been in Venice Beach near the skate park with her boyfriend and another friend in the early afternoon of December 6. They were back at her house around 7pm. A few hours later, around 9:30 pm, Josh said that Kolby picked up her sleeping bag, backpack and a ukulele and told her roommate that she was going back to the beach to go out. He added that she also spoke to their father that night and told him the same thing. About an hour later, at 10:30 pm, Kolby called a friend to help him find the car keys she had lost on the beach.
“It didn’t take long to find the keys, maybe 20 minutes,” Josh explained to Dateline, recalling what Kolby’s friend told him. “But they stayed there for a while. He was trying to get her out … I told her it wasn’t safe. It was dark and getting cold. But she told him to go home and that she would be fine. “
The two continued to text while Kolby remained on the beach and her friend waited in her car nearby. It was about 2 am when Kolby decided to get out and get in his car, which was parked near Big Daddy’s Pizza. Josh told Dateline that Kolby’s friend followed his sister part of the way until she turned in the direction of her home.
“It was the last time anyone saw her,” said Josh. He explained that his father paid for Kolby’s cell phone and was later able to check that night’s phone records. They found out that her friend made four missed calls to her between 2:00 and 8:45 am
On December 9, Kolby’s friend and roommate reported his disappearance to the Los Angeles Police Department, according to LAPD officials. But Josh told Dateline that his family was not notified until Kolby’s friend contacted him on social media on December 16.
“It’s just frustrating,” he said. “My sister is missing and no one is telling us.”
Kolby’s family started their own search, which included hanging brochures and conversations with people in the areas of Venice Beach and Mar Vista. Josh told Dateline that her car was later found in the Marina del Rey police parking lot. The flat tire was pulled from a parking lot in front of the Ralphs grocery store in Marina del Rey.
“It would make sense for her to get an apartment and then call someone to pick her up,” said Josh. “But there were no calls in her phone records – so, who came to pick her up? And that’s where it ends. We have nothing after that. And it is alarming. We are very concerned about her. “
Josh told Dateline that he talked to LAPD detectives about the possible timeline of events leading up to Kolby’s disappearance, but said they won’t know any details until they look at the cameras and phone records.
Detective Shannon Kramer of the LAPD Missing Persons Unit is the detective in Kolby’s case and confirmed to Dateline that this is an open investigation, but declined to discuss the details of the case.
“We encourage the public to call us if they have any information that can help locate Kolby,” Det. Kramer added.
Josh told Dateline that he hopes someone in the community will recognize Kolby from a leaflet or news article and give a tip.
“It’s not like she left alone,” said Josh. “I understand that this happens, but it is not the case. This is not my sister at all. “
Josh said Kolby is a beautician and is always concerned with washing his face and daily hygiene. But his products and the rest of his personal items were left behind in his home.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” said Josh. “But, fortunately, when you divulge your story, someone who knows something will appear. That’s all we ask. “
Kolby is 32 years old and is described as being 5’4 ” tall, weighing 115 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
If you have any information about Kolby Story’s whereabouts, contact Detective Shannon Kramer of the Los Angeles Missing Persons Department at (213) 996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.
