Father of Sahray Barber, missing San Bernardino student, speaks out

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- The father of a missing Art Institute of San Bernardino student is speaking out after two people of interest are being investigated by police.

Sahray Barber, 22, went missing on March 9 and was last seen by her roommates as she headed off to work at The Art Institute of California Inland Empire. Her father, Stephan Barber, said he has high hopes that his daughter will come home safe.

"She's a very independent, self-motivated person that has inspired a lot of lives, and I want her to continue to do that," he said.

Police said Barber lives in an apartment complex across the street from the CSU San Bernardino campus. Her cellphone and laptop were found in the bushes in front of the complex, which authorities have deemed suspicious.

The identities of the two people of interest have not been revealed by police. But authorities said forensic evidence has been collected during the investigation and that foul play may be possible.

"We have recovered a lot of evidence and it has taken investigators in one direction. We just can't report actually what direction that is. We do have some persons of interest in this case. We feel that they have evidence that they may not be revealing to us wholeheartedly," Lt. Rich Lawhead said.

Barber's father said he does not think his daughter would have just run away and he has no idea who would want to hurt her.

"Sahray had a lot of friends, and that's all she talked about were friends and never enemies," he said.

He also had a message for his daughter, in the hopes she is paying attention to the media reports.

"Just know that we will have you safe at home again soon, and keep your head up, be patient. I know it's got to be rough wherever you're at, whatever is happening. But we love you and we can't wait to see you again," he said.

On Friday night, hundreds of people gathered at the Art Institute hoping for Barber's safe return. Attendees said they wanted the event to be less of a vigil and more of a celebration of her life.

Barber is described as a white female, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, 125 pounds, with long reddish-brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the San Bernardino Police Department Investigations Bureau at (909) 384-5615.