Victoria Anne Cotton, 50, of Goleta, California, was last seen on July 15, 2006, leaving her home on foot. She may have been going to the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market or the French Festival; there are also reports she stopped at a 7-Eleven in downtown Goleta, but her exact last known location is uncertain. Known as Vicky, she had a background in physics and mechanical engineering and had worked in advanced infrared science before a serious illness in 1986 left her with a brain abscess and lasting cognitive issues, including short-term memory loss and balance problems.

Despite those deficits she lived independently but was considered vulnerable and was carrying very little money with no plans to be away long when she disappeared. She had briefly gone missing in the past but always returned within a day, making this prolonged disappearance out of character.

A $5,000 reward is offered for information; anyone who knew Victoria or saw her on July 15, 2006, is asked to come forward.