Police Announce Foul Play Suspicion
Fairfield, California, police announced Tuesday that they believe foul play is involved in the disappearance of 36-year-old Chantel Brooks. Brooks, who was last seen in mid-July, went missing after leaving her job at a hotel in San Francisco, as stated by Lieutenant Kelly Rombach, a spokesperson for the Fairfield Police Department, in a statement to ABC News.
"We continue to actively investigate," Rombach said, adding, "Based on what we have learned during the investigation, we believe Chantel’s disappearance involved foul play." The statement did not elaborate on the reason for that belief, and police did not provide further comment when asked why investigators suspect foul play.
The Investigation So Far
According to police, the investigation has been extensive. They have executed "dozens of search warrants" and conducted "multiple coordinated ground searches involving search and rescue resources" through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, as well as "extensive aerial drone grid searches." Rombach also revealed that police are working with the Solano County District Attorney's Office on the case.
"Our investigation will remain active as we continue working to find Chantel and determine what happened to her," Rombach said. "We remain committed to providing answers to her family and our community."
Last Known Movements
Reports from ABC7 Los Angeles and the New York Post describe Brooks's final movements as documented by surveillance footage and police reports. She was last seen approaching her vehicle as she left a CVS store parking lot in the 300 block of East Travis Boulevard in Fairfield at around 1:45 a.m. on July 17, according to Fairfield police. The New York Post places this sighting slightly later, at shortly before 2 a.m., a single-source report that differs from the other outlet's timeline.
Surveillance images also show Brooks leaving her hotel job at the Le Nain Hotel in San Francisco, in the 700 block of Eddy Street, shortly before 12:30 a.m. that morning. The New York Post reported that she was believed to be heading home, but her family has not heard from her since.
The Vehicle and Its Trail
Police have been tracking her vehicle, a black 2021 Infiniti QX50 SUV with California license plate 9SBB134. According to the Fairfield Police Department, as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, the vehicle was last detected by a Flock camera—an automated license plate reader—in Oakland, California, but the vehicle itself has not yet been located.
Family's Search
As the investigation continues, Brooks's family has been actively searching. The New York Post reported that a close friend raised the alarm after days without news from Brooks, prompting her brothers, Calvin and Kevin Robinson, to check the location on her cellphone. Kevin Robinson is quoted as saying, "Her location wasn't pinging, it just wasn't popping up."
The family has been canvassing Fairfield and the wider Bay Area, distributing missing-person flyers as Brooks's birthday approaches. In remarks to the Post, Kevin Robinson expressed his growing anxiety: "I'm trying to stay strong, but the more time goes by, the more nervous you get."
Physical Description and Public Appeal
Brooks is described as a Black woman, 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a brown, multicolored brimmed hat, a red zip-up sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and brown furry boots.
Fairfield police have asked anyone with information to contact them at 707-428-7300, the tip line at 707-428-7600, or email case26-7208@fairfield.ca.gov.
A Note on the Timeline
A minor discrepancy emerges between the two Major reports: ABC7 gives the time of the last known sighting at the CVS as around 1:45 a.m., while the New York Post states shortly before 2 a.m. This slight difference does not affect the overall account. The police have not commented on the variation.
continued Investigation
The case remains active. Fairfield police are committed to continuing their search, and the involvement of the Solano County District Attorney's Officer indicates a potentially lengthy legal process. The family holds out hope for finding Brooks as the investigation continues.