Assumed Deceased: Rosa Lisowski -- CA -- 03/24/2008

[Linda]

http://www.10news.com/news/15712508/detail.html#



Police Seek Woman Last Seen Walking Son To School

March 26, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- Authorities asked the public Wednesday to keep an eye out for a Point Loma Heights mother of three who went missing this week.

Rosa Lisowski, 50, has been unaccounted for since about 7:30 a.m. Monday, when she walked her son to Barnard Elementary School, according to the San Diego Police Department.

She did not have her wallet, identification or money with her at the time, officials said.

Lisowski apparently has been in a protracted child-custody dispute with her estranged husband. Neighbors told 10News that Lisowski had received threatening letters from her husband.

Police impounded the estranged husband's car on Wednesday.

Lisowski is Hispanic and is 5 feet 2 inches tall, 165 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing dark-colored sweatpants, a black hooded jacket and leather "flip-flop" shoes, police said.

Authorities asked anyone with information on Lisowski's whereabouts to call SDPD communications at 619-531-2000.

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_RosaLisowski.pdf 

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/mostpopular/15706782/detail.html

Family Says Missing Mother Feared For Her Life

March 25, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego police are asking for the public's help in finding a woman who disappeared after walking her son to school.

Rosa Lisowski, 48, was last seen in Point Loma on Monday around 7:30 a.m., according to officials.

Police said she walked her son to Barnard Elementary School located at 2930 Barnard St. Since that time, Lisowski has not been in contact with family or friends.

"We're in shock," said family friend Wendy Agosto. "We don't understand. She didn't take anything with her, so she doesn't have any ID with her -- only had the keys of the house, took no money, no wallet. Nothing. I mean, she was not planning to go anywhere."

Family members told NBC 7/39 that Lisowski has been in a long custody battle with her husband. They said she told them she even feared for her life.

According to police, the woman's husband, Henry Lisowski, has been questioned by investigators. The department's domestic violence unit said they investigated at least one verbal threat Lisowski made against his wife earlier this year. That threat is being included in the current missing person investigation. Her husband is not considered a suspect in the case at this time, police said.

Lisowski, a mother of three, was last seen wearing dark sweatpants, a black fleece hooded jacket, and leather flip flop shoes. She's 5 feet 2 inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 619-531-2000.

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15716659/detail.html

Police Question Missing Woman's Sons, Husband
Friends Say Woman Feared For Her Life

March 26, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- Two days after she was last seen, authorities are hoping the family of a missing mother can help in their search.

She was last seen Monday at 7:30 a.m. dropping her son off at Barnard Elementary School in Point Loma, according to police. Friends told NBC 7/39 she was in the middle of a custody battle and a divorce with her husband, Henry Lisowski.

Relatives also said the missing woman told them she even feared for her life. On Wednesday, Henry Lisowski went to the school to pick up his 6-year-old but left without him. That is because officers ended up picking the child up for questioning, NBC 7/39 reported.

While he would not speak to NBC 7/39 on camera, off camera he said his wife probably just wandered off and would probably be back by Thursday.

Police also said they had questioned Henry Lisowski for the third time, but her husband is not considered a suspect in the case at this time.

The San Diego Police Department's domestic violence unit said they investigated at least one verbal threat Henry Lisowski made against his wife earlier this year. That threat is being included in the current missing person investigation.

Friends of Rosa Lisowski have been putting up fliers and trying to gather information. Parents from the elementary school who knew her said they are still trying to comprehend the fact that she is missing.

"I was surprised because I just saw her last week before spring break and I just saw the flier this morning," said George De Jesus, who has a child at the school.

Police said they have spoken to Rosa Lisowski's 18-year-old son but do not plan to talk to her 4-year-old son, because he is too young.

Rosa Lisowski, a mother of three, was last seen wearing dark sweatpants, a black fleece hooded jacket, and leather flip flop shoes. She's 5 feet 2 inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 619-531-2000.

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15727989/detail.html

Vigil Planned For Missing Mom
Woman Disappeared After Walking Son To School

March 27, 2008

Rosa Lisowski, 48, was last seen Monday at 7:30 a.m. dropping her son off at Barnard Elementary School in Point Loma, according to police. Friends told NBC 7/39 she was in the middle of a custody battle and a divorce with her husband, Henry Lisowski.

On Thursday, relatives and friends said they will be holding a "Vigil of Hope" for Rosa's safe return. It will take place Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Barnard Elementary.

Police said they have no leads in the case. They have questioned two of the woman's sons, an 18-year-old and the 6-year-old she was last seen walking to school. Police have also questioned her estranged husband three times.

While he is not considered a suspect in the case, the San Diego Police Department has said it is not ruling him out.

Friends told NBC 7/39 she was in the middle of a custody battle and a divorce with Henry Lisowski. Relatives also said the missing woman told them she even feared for her life.

The San Diego Police Department's domestic violence unit said it investigated at least one verbal threat Henry Lisowski made against his wife earlier this year. That threat is being included in the current missing person investigation.

While he would not speak to NBC 7/39 on camera, off camera on Wednesday he said his wife probably just wandered off and would probably be back by Thursday.

Rosa Lisowski was last seen wearing dark sweatpants, a black fleece hooded jacket, and leather flip flop shoes. She's 5 feet 2 inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 619-531-2000.

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/mostpopular/15735159/detail.html

Police Search Husband's Home In Missing Mom Case

March 28, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- Homicide detectives Friday searched the home once shared by a missing San Diego woman and her estranged husband, NBC 7/39 reported.

At an afternoon news conference, homicide Lt. Terry McManus said investigators were searching the home at 5059 West Point Loma Blvd. as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Rosa Lisowski. The 48-year-old mother of three has not been seen since she dropped of her 6-year-old son at school on Monday morning. McManus said that police have no clues as to her whereabouts.

"We have no idea where Ms. Lisowski is and why she's missing," McManus said.

Lisowski and her estranged husband have been involved in a custody dispute over the children, and family members said he threatened her. On Wednesday, county authorities placed the children in protective custody rather than let their father bring them home from school.

Police began searching the home and back yard of Henry Lisowski at 5059 West Point Loma Blvd. on Friday morning, McManus said. McManus was careful not to call Lisowski a suspect in his wife's disappearance.

"He's our main person of interest," McManus said. " In any missing persons investigation one of the first people that we speak to are the family and friends, or in this case, the ex-husband. We've spoken to him several times. He'll continue to be a person that we speak with throughout the investigation."

McManus said Lisowski was not at the home during the search. He said police were interviewing him again on Friday.

"We've interviewed Mr. Lisowski more than once -- I don't know the total number of times -- and he's been compliant and voluntarily come down and spoken with us several times."

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15734441/detail.html

Missing Mom's Kids Put In Protective Custody

Rosa Lisowski has not been seen since she dropped of her 6-year-old son at school on Monday morning. Family members said that they have heard nothing from her and have no clues to her whereabouts.

Lisowski and her estranged husband have been involved in a custody dispute over the children, and family members said he threatened her. On Wednesday, county authorities placed the children in protective custody rather than let their father bring them home from school.

Lisowski's family is organizing a candlelight vigil to pray for her safe return. It begins at 7 p.m. and Barnard Elementary School in the Midway area.

Veronica Ramos is the children's aunt.

"I don't want people to forget Rosa," Ramos said. "I don't want them to forget, because she could still be alive, and if she is, then we can't forget. We need to keep going with this. We need to keep praying."

Ramos said that she is trying to get custody of the boys, and she is also trying to comfort Lisowski's 18-year-old son.

[Denise]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080328-9999-1m28pubsafe.html

Prayer vigil is tonight for missing S.D. woman

SAN DIEGO: Police are searching for leads in the disappearance of a San Diego woman who was last seen Monday walking her son to school in Point Loma.

Friends and family have not heard from Rosa Lisowski, 48, since she left for Barnard Elementary School at 7:30 a.m., San Diego police said.

A prayer vigil will be held for Lisowski at 7 tonight at the school, 2930 Barnard St.

A family friend said Lisowski was in the middle of a custody battle with her husband. She filed police reports earlier in the year indicating that she feared for her safety, said Wanda Agosto, Lisowski's pastor.

Police impounded Lisowski's husband's car yesterday, Agosto said. On Wednesday, the couple's two children were taken by Child Protective Services.

Her husband has not been named a suspect in the case.

Lisowski was last seen wearing dark sweat pants, a black fleece hooded jacket and leather flip-flops. She is described as Latina, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call San Diego police at (619) 531-2000. –K.D.

[Denise]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15741368/detail.html
 
Friends Keep Hope Alive For Missing Mother

POSTED: 1:37 pm PDT March 29, 2008
UPDATED: 1:40 pm PDT March 29, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- Friends of a woman who disappeared last week will hold another vigil in her honor on Saturday evening.

Rosa Lisowski was last seen Monday morning when she dropped off her 6-year-old son at Bernard Elementary School.

The vigil will take place outside of her apartment, located in the 3800 block of Midway Drive.

Organizers said the event will be more casual than the vigil that held at her son's school Friday night. Friends will sit on blankets on the lawn, drink coffee and remember the mother of three on Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.

On Friday night, dozens of people attended a candlelight vigil for Lisowski at her son's school.

"When you meet Rosa, you love Rosa," Heather Peterson, a friend, said. "She's kind; she's loving; she's nurturing. And the biggest thing is, she's the mom that we all hope and wish to be."

Another friend, Marla Day, also said Lisowski was an excellent mother.

"She was a mom before I was, and I knew that if I could be like her, I would be a wonderful mom too," she said.

Day said she has faith her friend will be found.

"God has worked a lot of miracles in my own life, and I know he's going to work a miracle for this one," she said. "He needs to. She's one of the good ones, and she needs to come home to her family."

Friends and family said they are worried sick about Lisowski and are not surprised she is missing.

Court records revealed she and her estranged husband are locked in a bitter divorce.

Police called her husband a person of interest in the case. Detectives interviewed him several times and searched his Ocean Beach home.

Friends said they have not given up hope.

"She doesn't disappear, and she didn't just take a break and say, 'I can't handle this,'" Peterson said. "She doesn't do that. She doesn't give up."

[Denise]

http://www.cbs8.com/stories/story.122581.html

Missing Mom's Estranged Husband a 'Person of Interest'

Watch Video  Last Updated:
03-29-08 at 1:05PM

Police said the estranged husband of a missing Point Loma Heights woman is a "person of interest" in her disappearance, and detectives searched his home Friday.

Rosa Lisowski, 48, has not been seen since about 7:30 a.m. Monday, when she walked her son to Barnard Elementary School, according to San Diego police.

The mother of three did not have her wallet, identification or money with her at the time, officials said.

On Friday, investigators searched the Ocean Beach home of the woman's estranged spouse, Henry Lisowski. The couple are in the midst of a divorce and child-custody dispute, and the woman earlier said her husband threatened her, authorities have said.

In response to questions from reporters outside the man's West Point Loma Boulevard house, SDPD Lt. Terry McManus described Henry Lisowski as a "person of interest" in the case.

"In any investigation, certainly any missing-persons investigation, (some) of the first people that we speak to are the family and friends, or in this case the ex-husband," he said. "We've spoken to him several times. He'll continue to be a person that we'll speak with throughout the investigation."

Rosa Lisowski is a Latina, 5 feet 2 inches and about 165 pound, with black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing dark-colored sweat pants, a black hooded jacket and leather "flip-flop" shoes, police said.

Anyone with information on Lisowski's whereabouts was urged to call police at (619) 531-2000.

[Linda]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15744995/detail.html

Divers Search Mission Bay For Clues In Missing Mother Case

March 30, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- Divers searched Mission Bay on Saturday for clues into the disappearance of a missing woman.

Rosa Lisowski, 48, was last seen on Monday morning, when she dropped her 6-year-old off at school.

Witnesses at the marina at Quivera Basin said police divers searched the waters around a boat on Saturday.

Police have not identified the owner of the boat, which is called Born Free.

Witnesses said no one has seen the boat's owner in years.

Rosa Lisowski's estranged husband owns a boat in Mission Bay.

Friends and family held a second vigil for Lisowski on Saturday evening outside her apartment.

Heather Peterson, a longtime friend, said Lisowski and her husband were in the middle of a messy divorce.

Peterson said her friend received a "bone-chilling" threatening letter about a year ago.

"It's a typed letter," Peterson said. "It just says where she's going to be: 'She's going to be in the ground. She's going to be with her sister.'"

Peterson said the letter came after Rosa Lisowski asked Henry Lisowski for child support.

"This is when everything got ugly," she said. "Everything got ugly when she started fight back."

Arthur Eischens, a neighbor, said Lisowski told him she worked hard to put food on the table because no one was helping her.

Peterson described Lisowsky's husband as scary. She said she was in the delivery room with Lisowsky when she gave birth to her second child.

"He proceeded to just say every horrible thing you could imagine as she's giving birth," Peterson said.

Peterson said she thinks Henry Lisowsky knows something about his wife's disappearance.

Police said he is a person of interest in the case.

[Denise]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15756333/detail.html

Friend: Missing Woman Feared For Her Life

POSTED: 4:39 pm PDT March 31, 2008
UPDATED: 4:50 pm PDT March 31, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- The friend of a woman who was last seen a week ago dropping her son off at school told NBC 7/39 that she grows more fearful for the missing woman every day.

Police are continuing their search for Rosa Lisowski, 48, who was last seen near Barnard Elementary School in the Midway District.
 
On Monday, a close family friend told NBC 7/39 that she believes Lisowski's husband, Henry, should be arrested. Investigators have called Henry a "person of interest" in the case. So far, no arrests have been made.

"She's gone -- Rosa -- it's too late," Rosa's friend Heather Peterson said. "The first day she went missing, we all knew right then and there. All of her friends said, 'It happened; he's done something.' "

"He" refers to Henry Lisowski, who has been questioned by investigators several times. On Friday, police searched his Ocean Beach home. On Saturday, divers looked around his boat in Mission Bay.

Peterson said that Rosa and Henry Lisowski are going through a bitter custody battle and divorce.

"This isn't just recent that's she's been afraid for her life," Peterson said. "This has been a long period of time."

The couple's three kids are now staying with a relative outside of San Diego.

"Overall, the two younger ones are doing well," Rosa's friend Veronia Ramos said. "We don't talk much about their mom, and they're not asking if they were to talk about it more. We would talk them through it."

Peterson said that Rosa kept detailed records involving threats made by her husband and made sure her friends knew what was going on.

"There are a lot of friends of Rosa's who are afraid to come forward because they are afraid of her husband," Peterson said. "They are afraid."

Peterson is encouraging anyone with information to come forward to police.

NBC 7/39 went to Henry's Ocean Beach home Monday for a comment. His car was parked outside, but there was a padlock on his front gate.

[Denise]

http://www.10news.com/news/15766672/detail.html

Documents Show Missing Woman's Relationship With Husband

POSTED: 4:07 pm PDT April 1, 2008

LOMA PORTAL -- As the search continues for a missing Loma Portal woman, new information has surfaced about her relationship with her estranged husband.

According to public records the two argued over child custody issues in a contentious court proceeding.

Friends and relatives have talked about the battle over the two boys, aged six and four. Court papers verify that and give us more insight. 

The search for Rosa Lisowski is now in its 9th day and most of the attention has been focused on a house in Ocean Beach where Henry Lisowski lives. A search warrant was executed on the home on Friday and another at a nearby marina where Lisowski keeps a boat. A diver also joined the effort to find the missing mother of four there.

Rosa Lisowski walked her first-grader to school a few blocks from their home in Loma Portal last Monday morning. She hasn't returned.

"We're not giving up hope," Rosa's friend Wanda Agosto said, "[but] it's hard to just sit and wait."

The Lisowski were involved in a custody battle during their divorce and papers show it was far from amicable. Both parents were ordered to attend and complete the high conflict prevention program. They – and their older child – were also ordered to participate in individual counseling.

Henry Lisowski has been questioned several times and has been labeled a person of interest but there's been no sign of Rosa Lisowski; no arrest of a suspect in her disappearance.

Friends and relatives held a candlelight vigil and hope to develop leads by offering a reward.

[Denise]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/15775253/detail.html
 
Reward Offered In Case Of Missing Mother
Estranged Husband Is Person Of Interest, Police Say

POSTED: 1:03 pm PDT April 2, 2008
UPDATED: 1:47 pm PDT April 2, 2008

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information in the disappearance of a local mother of three.

A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in the case of Rosa Lisowski, 48, according to Sally Cox, executive director of Crime Stoppers.

Lisowski was last seen March 24, dropping her 6-year-old son off at Barnard Elementary School in the Midway District.

Rosa's estranged husband Henry Lisowski has been named a person of interest in the case by the San Diego Police Department. However he has not been charged.

Last Friday, his Ocean Beach home was searched by investigators. On Saturday, divers looked around his boat in Mission Bay. He has been questioned several times, but no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed.

Rosa Lisowski has three sons, 18, 6 and 4 years old. NBC 7/39 reported that the 18-year-old and a relative have been granted temporary custody of the younger boys and the children have moved out of the area.

The friend of a woman who was last seen a week ago dropping her son off at school told NBC 7/39 that she grows more fearful for the missing woman every day.

"She's gone -- Rosa -- it's too late," Rosa's friend Heather Peterson said. "The first day she went missing, we all knew right then and there. All of her friends said, 'It happened; he's done something,'" she said, referring to Henry Lisowski.

Peterson said that Rosa and Henry Lisowski are going through a bitter custody battle and divorce.

"This isn't just recent that's she's been afraid for her life," Peterson said. "This has been a long period of time."

Peterson said that Rosa kept detailed records involving threats made by her husband and made sure her friends knew what was going on.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-TIPS.

[Linda]

http://www.fox6.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=54eb6699-ad36-4c86-aae7-03e8a57f18e6

Reward to be Offered for Missing Woman Information

4/02/08

Missing posters are up at Barnard Elementary School off Midway Drive.  The signs plead for anyone with information in the disappearance of Rosa Lisowski to call San Diego Police.  Rosa’s niece says she hopes the reward could generate leads that will help police find the mother of three.

“We all want her back,” says Veronica Ramos, whose husband is Rosa’s nephew.  “And I think, I'm hoping with everyone's efforts and everyone's prayers that can happen.”

Rosa’s estranged husband Henry Lisowski is still considered a “person of interest” in the case, although police say he has fully cooperated with them on several occasions.

Maria Sousa, who has known Rosa Lisowski for about a year, says her friend “…was a wonderful lady.  She was always very concerned about her kids, about their safety.”

But Maria Garces, who has known Lisowski for more than a decade, finds the situation more than strange.

“You don't just take off, or don't disappear, unless something happened to you, right?” Garces asks.

Ramos says Lisowski’s three children are aware their mother is missing.  Ramos has temporary custody of the children, and spoke to FOX6 from her home about four hours from San Diego.

“I want to hear some news about her,” says Ramos.  “I'm getting tired, and I want to hear some news about her either way, and I wish that the people involved in her disappearance would step up and make this right, and say something.”

[LoriDavis]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080403/news_1m3mom.html

Missing woman, husband lived apart
Couple were in court fight for children, records show

By Kristina Davis
STAFF WRITER
April 3, 2008

SAN DIEGO – Their marriage of nearly nine years appeared to be an atypical union that fell far short of wedded bliss.

From the moment Henry and Rosa Lisowski eloped in Las Vegas in 1999, they lived in separate homes, according to divorce records filed by Henry Lisowski.
Last week, after nearly a year into the couple's bitter divorce and custody battle over two young sons, Rosa Lisowski disappeared.

Police have named Henry Lisowski, 66, as a person of interest in the case. No arrests have been made.

The 48-year-old woman was last seen March 24, when she walked her son to Barnard Elementary School in Point Loma at 7:30 a.m., San Diego police said.

Detectives on Friday searched Henry Lisowski's house in Ocean Beach and a day later served a search warrant on his boat at Quivira Basin on Mission Bay.

Divers also searched the water under the boat, San Diego police Lt. Terry McManus said. Investigators have not revealed the results of the searches.

Relatives are now caring for the couple's sons, ages 4 and 6.

The couple were scheduled to appear in court yesterday for their divorce, but a judge postponed the proceedings until July.

Henry Lisowski, who is representing himself in the divorce, did not show up for yesterday's hearing.

A family friend said last week that Rosa filed police reports earlier in the year indicating she feared for her safety.

According to court documents, the couple met at a swap meet in 1997. Henry Lisowski had been working for a small company that makes computer motherboards, while Rosa Lisowski was working as a caretaker for an older man.

Rosa Lisowski had crossed the U.S. border about six years earlier, her husband claimed.

In the courts records, Henry Lisowski said he married Rosa to secure citizenship for her, and that she signed a prenuptial agreement stating that the pair would keep separate property and that she would not be able to ask for spousal support.

However, she responded in records that she had never seen the premarital agreement and that her signature was forged. She said the idea to marry was his, and that she received a work permit each year to stay in the country legally.

Henry Lisowski listed himself as unemployed in recent divorce filings. He earned money by selling rental property throughout the county and investing the profits, according to court documents.