Pearl Pinson : “Heartbreak’s Gap: Bridging the Divide”

For the eighth consecutive year, a small group is set to gather near the entrance to a pedestrian walkway over Interstate 780 in Vallejo on Saturday afternoon.

This particular bridge holds immense significance to the family of Pearl Pinson, as it is the very location where she was abducted in 2016.

Since the day of her kidnapping, Pearl has not been seen or heard from.

At the time of her abduction, Pearl Pinson was a 15-year-old student at Jesse Bethel High School. She was forcibly taken off the pedestrian walkway over Interstate 780 on her way to school by an armed man who then dragged her to a waiting car.

The abductor, later identified as 19-year-old Fernando Castro, had no known connection to Pinson. Castro met his demise in a police shootout in Southern California the following day, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and no sign of Pearl.

Desperate to keep Pearl’s memory alive, her family is advocating for the bridge that stands over the 780 freeway, just past the Laurel Street offramp when heading east, to be named after her.

James Pinson, Pearl’s father, expressed his sentiments, stating, “It would mean a great deal to have it named after her. I just want her name to remain in the public consciousness, regardless of the context.”

Memories and Grief

Reflecting on the pain of losing his daughter, James shared, “The pain deepens with each passing year. It is especially challenging when misinformation circulates, and assumptions are made. I am determined to have this bridge named after her and see changes in the amber alert system.”

Pearl’s elder sister, Rose, acknowledged the rarity of having a bridge named after someone who is still missing. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Pearl’s fate, Rose believes that renaming the bridge after her sister would serve as a poignant reminder of the dangers of abduction and contribute to raising awareness about missing children.

Expressing her acceptance of the harsh reality, Rose shared, “I have come to terms with the fact that I may never see my sister again. It is a heartbreaking realization, but one that I have to live with.”

Renaming the Bridge

The Pinson family and Vallejo City officials are in the process of petitioning to have the bridge named after Pearl. However, they have encountered bureaucratic obstacles in navigating the naming process.

Rose highlighted the challenges faced, stating, “There is a lack of clarity from Caltrans regarding the required procedures. We are eager to start a petition, but the financial implications remain unclear. There is a growing demand for a petition to be initiated.”

When questioned about the number of signatures needed, James expressed his frustration, stating, “Caltrans has not provided a definitive answer on the required number of signatures. However, I believe a significant portion of Vallejo residents would support the cause.”

Efforts to obtain clarification from Caltrans were unavailing at the time of publication.

Bridget Doherty, a longtime advocate for Pearl Pinson and a close friend of the family, has been actively engaged in the initiative to rename the bridge. After encountering numerous challenges, Doherty is now hopeful for a positive outcome.

Referencing a successful naming endeavour in Sacramento, Doherty shared, “I was inspired by the swift renaming of a skate park after Tyree Nichols. I aim to replicate that success by following a similar blueprint.”

Seeking support from Vallejo City Councilmember Cristina Arriola, Doherty is optimistic about the prospects of renaming the bridge in honour of Pearl.

Arriola expressed her frustration and anger at the tragic events surrounding Pearl’s abduction, emphasising the need for action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Arriola stressed the importance of renaming the bridge at a state level and suggested reaching out to state and U.S. senators Bill Dodd and John Garamendi for support.

Emphasising her commitment to the cause, Arriola stated, “I will continue to advocate for this initiative. We must strive to ensure the safety of our community and protect our children from harm.”

Status of the Case and Ongoing Efforts

Despite the passage of time, the case of Pearl Pinson remains unresolved, leaving her family in a perpetual state of anguish and uncertainty.

Rose, when questioned about any recent developments in the case, expressed her frustration at the lack of progress, stating, “There have been no new leads or information regarding Pearl’s whereabouts. The case remains cold, and the uncertainty is agonising.”

While efforts to locate Pearl have improved in recent years, Rose acknowledged the challenges of communication with authorities and expressed her gratitude for the support received from former officers involved in the case.

Expressing his frustration, James highlighted the disparities in media coverage and attention given to different cases, citing the recent spotlight on other abduction cases.

James also expressed his disappointment at the lack of remorse or apology from Fernando Castro’s family, adding to the family’s emotional burden.

As the anniversary of Pearl’s abduction approaches, Rose finds solace in honouring her sister’s memory and advocating for justice. She continues to pass by the bridge regularly, offering her silent blessings and prayers for Pearl’s safe return.