‘We want answers’: Remains found near Palm Springs identified as Lauren Cho

Oct. 28, 2021

Human remains found in California’s Yucca Valley have been identified as Lauren Cho, a 30-year-old New Jersey woman who went missing from her Airbnb in June.

Cho, who friends and family call “El,” reportedly walked away from an Airbnb on the 8600 block of Benmar Trail in Yucca Valley on June 28 around 5 p.m. The mountainous area is about a 30-minute drive north of Palm Springs and surrounded by desert hiking trails.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez told Inside Edition that Cho was staying at the rental with a group of friends and reportedly became “upset” over an unspecified issue. She then allegedly walked away from the rental without taking food, water or her phone. Cho was reported missing by her ex-boyfriend about three hours after she walked off, and he indicated Cho may have been in “mental distress,” according to police. The sheriff’s department has said it does not suspect foul play.

A search warrant was executed on the Benmar Trail residence July 31, and repeated aerial searches in the “remote mountain terrain near the scene” located human remains on Oct. 9. The location of Cho’s remains was described by officials as “rugged terrain of the open desert of Yucca Valley.”

The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division is awaiting results of toxicology tests, and as such are not releasing the cause of death at this time. Cho’s family and friends, who run a website and Facebook page called “Find Lauren Cho,” said she was “not under the influence of anything at the time of her disappearance.”

A friend told CNN in early October that the New Jersey woman was in California looking for a “fresh start” and had taken the opportunity to do some traveling as the pandemic eased.

“We want answers. Lauren ‘El’ Cho is a talented musician, vocalist, chef, baker, artist, photographer, former music educator and former piercing apprentice,” her friends said in a statement. “She is the most loving, caring and loyal aunt, sister and friend, and the most hilarious person you could ever meet. And we cannot give up on her.”

Oct. 28, 2021 Lauren “El” Cho, 30, has been missing since leaving her rental in the Morongo Valley, Calif., in June 2021.San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department/Handout Human remains found in California’s Yucca Valley have been identified as Lauren Cho, a 30-year-old New Jersey woman who went missing from her Airbnb in June. Cho, who friends and family call “El,” reportedly walked away from an Airbnb on the 8600 block of Benmar Trail in Yucca Valley on June 28 around 5 p.m. The mountainous area is about a 30-minute drive north of Palm Springs and surrounded by desert hiking trails. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez told Inside Edition that Cho was staying at the rental with a group of friends and reportedly became “upset” over an unspecified issue. She then allegedly walked away from the rental without taking food, water or her phone. Cho was reported missing by her ex-boyfriend about three hours after she walked off, and he indicated Cho may have been in “mental distress,” according to police. The sheriff’s department has said it does not suspect foul play. A search warrant was executed on the Benmar Trail residence July 31, and repeated aerial searches in the “remote mountain terrain near the scene” located human remains on Oct. 9. The location of Cho’s remains was described by officials as “rugged terrain of the open desert of Yucca Valley.” The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Division is awaiting results of toxicology tests, and as such are not releasing the cause of death at this time. Cho’s family and friends, who run a website and Facebook page called “Find Lauren Cho,” said she was “not under the influence of anything at the time of her disappearance.” A friend told CNN in early October that the New Jersey woman was in California looking for a “fresh start” and had taken the opportunity to do some traveling as the pandemic eased. “We want answers. Lauren ‘El’ Cho is a talented musician, vocalist, chef, baker, artist, photographer, former music educator and former piercing apprentice,” her friends said in a statement. “She is the most loving, caring and loyal aunt, sister and friend, and the most hilarious person you could ever meet. And we cannot give up on her.”