Missing Newport Beach Woman Found Safe in Irvine

Erika Lopez was found safe today in Irvine, after being missing since the end of August,  according to her brother, Anthony DeSousa.

"We found her," DeSousa said Monday in a text message to Patch.com.

Lopez, 24, was located about 10:30 a.m. after being spotted in Irvine, according to Kathy Lowe, Newport Beach Police spokeswoman. According to the Help Find Erika Lopez Facebook page, someone saw Lopez's flier, noticed her and called police. The good samaritan stayed with Lopez until DeSousa and police arrived.

"She was located at Michelson Drive and Harvard Avenue in Irvine," Lowe said. "And released to the care of her family."

Lopez, of Newport Beach, was reported missing by a friend on Aug. 24 from the area of Sherrington Place and Irvine Avenue. Various sightings were reported since she went missing, first was in Huntington Beach soon after the police report was filed, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fullerton on Thursday and, a day earlier, inside a 99 Cents Store in that city, sitting on the floor reading books for hours. She was also spotted washing her feet in a fountain near downtown Fullerton.

More details to come.