By Mary O’KEEFE

A child’s birthday, no matter the age, is a time to celebrate. It’s a time for family to be together; however, for Rosalie Blum it is another of her daughter’s birthdays that is filled with dread mixed with an ever-present hope.

Today Kimberly Blum will be 47 years old and today marks just over two years since she disappeared.

After visiting her sister’s home in La Crescenta on June 5, 2014, Kimberly got into her car and left. Attempts by her friends and family to contact her were without success. On June 7 her concerned family contacted Los Angeles Police Dept. – Blum’s residence is in Tujunga – and the search began.

It was believed Blum might have been in the Angeles National Forest area. The Montrose Search and Rescue team from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. searched a 295-square mile area of the ANF. A Caltrans worker in the ANF found Blum’s cosmetic bag on June 9 containing empty prescription bottles belonging to her and another search was made that again met without success.

A reward of $5,000 has been offered to anyone with “solid information leading to the identification of Kimberly Blum. All information will be kept strictly confidential.”

“Nothing … nothing,” said Rosalie of what she has heard about her daughter’s disappearance. “I miss her more now than when it first happened if that’s possible. I think everyone is resigned that something bad did happen to her but there is always hope … maybe something … a miracle.”

Rosalie said it has been difficult for the family and for friends. People seem to be afraid to bring her up.

“My daughter (Kimberly’s sister) will say, ‘I really wanted to tell Kim about this’ or ‘Wouldn’t Kim have laughed at this?’” she added.

But for now they only have their memories. Though not having closure is difficult, it is equally hard to deal with the thought of what might have happened to Kimberly.

“We had thought with El Niño it would rain and then we might find something in [Angeles National Forest],” Rosalie said.

But El Niño did not bring the expected rains though and nothing seems to have cleared the forest.

Rosalie hopes that by keeping Kimberly’s name and picture in the public’s eye someone will remember seeing her or her vehicle, or perhaps hikers in the ANF will find her.

Kimberly’s memory is not far from those on the Montrose Search and Rescue team who continue to look for her when they hike and patrol ANF.

Kimberly is 47, Caucasian with brown hair, blue eyes, is 5’2” tall and weighs 140 pounds. She may be in need of medical attention. She was last seen driving her silver 2004 Honda CRV, California license plate 5JVU774. Kimberly’s case is still currently an active LAPD missing person but no new information has been uncovered.

Anyone with information should call LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800 or the RACRA Division after hours at (213) 484-6700, Attention Det. Palmer.

Information can be sent via email to reward.kimberly@gmail.com.

  Mary Okeefe