Isaias Hernandez is serving life without the possibility of parole for the murder of Mariann Aleman. Hernandez kidnapped Aleman, drove her to Las Vegas, according to ATM records, and murdered her.
"It's been horrible, because we need our mother, she is the only person we ever had growing up," said Jennifer Palma. "She was a single mother, she took care of me and my sister all on her own."
"She just said, 'I love you, I'll see you later.' I'm like, 'OK, bye,' like any other day. And we've just never seen her again," said Veronica Palma.
"For me personally this is the most troubling part of being a homicide detective," said LAPD Homicide Detective Harold DiCroce.
At sentencing, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor called Hernandez, a registered sex offender, the most despicable person he had ever seen, without a thread of kindness for withholding the whereabouts of the mother's remains.
"Just not having answers, and just having to wonder, scenarios of what could have happened, and just the fear of having to think that you're never going to find your mom," said Veronica Palma.
Det. DiCroce has visited Hernandez at Corcoran State Prison and believes Hernandez wants to use the information to leverage a deal.
DiCroce says it's better to find someone else who would know: the person who helped Hernandez torch a red BMW convertible found abandoned in Fontana. It was the car used to kidnap Aleman.
"We believe that she was killed in the vehicle and then somewhere from here to Las Vegas was probably dumped," said DiCroce.
That thought has haunted Veronica and Jennifer Palma for eight years. Wednesday they appealed for any clue that could be offered to LAPD anonymously.
"It's been eight years," said Jennifer. "Just make peace with God for just yourself. Just say what happened to her. She deserves that."
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to call Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS, or text the letters "TIPLA" plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers tip page. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
