It's been more than six weeks since Rita Gutierrez-Garcia has seen her family. Six weeks since the mother of three has hugged her boys. Six weeks since the aspiring paralegal has gone to class.
During that time she's missed holidays, school concerts -- even the birth of her niece.
It's during those big moments, her family says they miss Rita the most. One of the hardest days came on April 7 -- Rita's 35th birthday.
The Longmont mom hasn't been seen since March 18 at 2:30 a.m., the night of St. Patrick's Day. Police say her last known whereabouts were a parking lot in the 300 block of Coffman Street in Longmont.
Rita had gone out with friends and family and after walking back to a car with them, she was reportedly on the phone and told them she'd catch a ride home with someone else.
Rita's sister Jessica Reyes told 9NEWS that Rita planned to go to the Rockies home opener for her birthday celebration. Instead, her family spent her birthday at Thompson Park under a tree they said that just " just looked like it needed love."
Days after her initial disappearance, Rita's family tearfully addressed the media, pleading with the public to share any information they might have about their loved one. While holding a framed photo of her daughter, Rita's mother Diane Romero described what her oldest daughter looked like -- 5-foot-7, 140 pounds with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a black, long-sleeved shirt with black leggings. She's got tattoos on both arms and her shoulders. She has piercings in her ears - but wasn't wearing any jewelry that night. Her mother told reporters she also has tongue piercings.
“Every day, it’s another day of unanswered questions,” Reyes said. “We’re ready for answers. We’re ready for more, we need it.”
Police said that Rita and her friends finished their night at a bar called Breakers at 380 Main St. and then walked back to the parking lot west of 3's Bar. While 3's Bar is located at 333 Main St., the parking lot is actually in the 300 block of Coffman Street. She also spent part of her night at the Speakeasy at 301 Main St.
Two days after that press conference, dive teams and search dogs descended on Golden Ponds Park, which is less than two miles from the parking lot where Rita was last seen. At the time, Longmont police told 9NEWS it was not a tip that led them there, but procedure. After hours of searching, nothing related to the search for the missing mom was found.
That following Sunday, family and friends gathered for a prayer service, where her mom spoke directly to her daughter.
"Make your way back home. Find somebody who is willing to help you. Tell them who you are. Tell them there's people looking for you," Romero said. "You know we love you. You know your sisters and I love you. We're here today, for you babe. We're all praying."
Rita has three sons -- an 18-year-old, a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old.
Police and Rita's family pointed out how strange it was that she hadn't posted on Snapchat or gotten in touch with anyone in her family. She reportedly always posted to the social media platform and texted all day with family.
Longmont Police say the investigation ongoing and they consider Rita's disappearance suspicious because of the length of time she's been missing.
“Every day we just hope and pray and just wait for someone to come forward,” Reyes said.
The family has started a GoFundMe page for Rita's sons. Click or tap here to learn more.
Anyone with information about Rita's disappearance is asked to call 303-651-8501 immediately.
