Candlelight vigil held in Langley for missing mother Naomi Onotera

LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) — Dozens of people gathered in person Sunday evening at a candlelight vigil for Naomi Onotera — a mother from Langley who’s been missing for over a week.

An online vigil was also held for the 40-year-old kindergarten teacher, who, according to the RCMP, was last seen leaving her home in Langley City the evening of Saturday, Aug. 28 to go for a walk.

“I cannot even imagine how hard it must be not knowing if she’s ok and where she is. I truly hope she will come home soon!” one person wrote online, as many shared their memories of the mother and posted photos of her.

According to a friend, Onotera was looking forward to working as a librarian starting this week, after having been off on maternity leave.

More than a week after a Langley mom and teacher went missing without a trace, an emotional candlelight vigil has been held to pray for her safe return home. 40-year-old Naomi Onotera was last seen August 28. @LangleyRCMP serious crime unit investigating. More on @NEWS1130. pic.twitter.com/U32ULgL7pd

— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) September 6, 2021

“Hoping for some information and wishing for a miracle. As a fellow teacher and mama, my heart is aching for everyone. May these candles light her way back home,” another person wrote.

The online event was attended by people as far away as Ohio and New Zealand, everyone sharing their hopes that Onotera would be found safe.

Volunteers and Mounties have been searching for the woman ever since she was reported missing.

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• Search intensifies for missing Langley mother, teacher Naomi Onotera

The in-person vigil was held at Sendall Botanical Gardens in Langley at 7 p.m. Organizers had been encouraging as many people as possible to turn up to offer support for the family and community working to bring her home safely.

“Let’s light a candle and bring Naomi home,” a Facebook post reads.

Onotera has an 18-month-old daughter and teaches kindergarten at Surrey’s Katzie Elementary School. She is described as 5’9″ tall, weighs 150 lbs, has long brown hair and brown eyes. Police have not said where she lives.

A Facebook group dedicated to the search was launched Tuesday to organize with volunteers and distribute posters. Posts in that group say Onotera left her cell phone, purse, wallet, and car at home. She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with black lounge pants.

Serious crime investigators have now taken over the case.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.

– With files from Lisa Steacy