Release Date/Time: 12/16/2011 10:26 AM The Salinas Police Department is asking for help in trying to locate Salinas resident, Janet “Nene” Sorenson (age 71). She was last seen at her residence in the 1600 Blk of Atherton Way in the late morning hours on December 7, 2011. Miss Sorenson has uncharacteristically missed appointments, has not been seen by, or spoken to, neighbors and friends since the 7th. On Tuesday, December 14th, concerned friends and neighbors contacted the Salinas Police and officers conducted a welfare check on Miss Sorenson at her residence. During that check, officers were able to enter the residence and did not locate Miss Sorenson. There was nothing out of the ordinary noted by the officers at that time. Officers continued to check on the residence over the next two days, finding no changes in the status of the residence. Due to the concern expressed by the people who know Miss Sorenson, Salinas Police detectives took over the case. Through interviews done by patrol officers and detectives, we learned Miss Sorenson had a son that lived with her off and on. We learned a 2000 Mazda MPV minivan was registered to Miss Sorenson and was missing from the residence. Witnesses stated her son, Christopher Sorenson (age 29), was seen leaving the residence in the van on December 9th. Surrounding counties were notified of the situation and asked to look for the van and Christopher Sorenson. At just after midnight on December 16th, officers from the Monterey Police Department found the van near Jack's Park in Monterey. They made contact with Christopher Sorenson, who was asleep in the back of the van. Christopher was transported to the Salinas Police Department for questioning, while the van was impounded as part of the search warrant written for the residence. Christopher was eventually transported to the Monterey County jail and booked for homicide. Based on the circumstances of her disappearance and evidence found in multiple locations, we believe Miss Sorenson has been the victim of a homicide. We are asking for the public's help. Anyone that may have seen Miss Sorenson, Christopher Sorenson or the van depicted in the attached photograph in the last week is asked to contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226. Christopher has been known to frequent the area of CSU Monterey Bay (old Fort Ord), area beaches and coffee houses in Salinas and Monterey. /userfiles/file/sorenson.jpg, /userfiles/file/Van 1.JPG, /userfiles/file/Van 2.JPG, /userfiles/file/Christopher Sorenson.jpg
Release Authorized by: Christopher Lane, Investigations Sergeant |
Salinas Police Department 
222 Lincoln Ave, Salinas, CA, 93901 Violence Tip Line (831) 775-4222
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