Woman struggling with mental health issues missing from El Cerrito since Monday, Feb. 14

By Allen D. Payton

Kemani McAlpin, a 29-year-old Black woman struggling with mental health issues has been missing from El Cerrito, Western Contra Costa County, since Monday morning, Feb. 14, 2022

According to a family friend, the family of Kemani McAlpin is very concerned about her safety.  She was visiting family in El Cerrito and went for a walk around 7:30 am on Monday, February 14, 2022. After she did not return, at 6:30 pm, the family reported her as a missing person to the El Cerrito Police Department.

Kemani may appear disoriented at times. She was seen in the 500 block of Kearney Street in El Cerrito on Monday, Feb. 14 and there was a reported sighting of her in Oakland on the same day in the early afternoon.

McAlpin is about 5’7” and 170 pounds. She has brown eyes, her hair is black with reddish blond highlights, and she wears it pulled up in puff style.  She was last seen wearing a black face mask, beige sweatshirt, black pants and high-top Nike sneakers.

In addition to working with the El Cerrito Police, and surrounding agencies, the family is using social media to raise awareness about her disappearance and sharing fliers in El Cerrito, and surrounding communities she may have traveled to, including Oakland and Berkeley.

The family friend who chose to not be identified said, “Kemani is deeply loved and we encourage anyone with information to contact their local police department or Detective John Whitney at El Cerrito Police Department at (510) 215-4420. Additionally, text messages and calls can be made to (415) 515-3816.”