Woman Believed Kidnaped by Young Admirer

Police are searching for a 34-year-old Sepulveda homemaker and mother of three believed kidnaped by a 16-year-old youth who apparently developed a crush on her after her family let him move in for several months.

Joyce Elaine Matola was reported missing by her husband, Ryan, Tuesday afternoon after she failed to keep several appointments. Later, Ryan Matola found multiple knife slashes in the covers, sheets and mattress of a bed in the master bedroom of the couple’s Stare Street home, Lt. Vern Higbee said.

Purse, Car Missing

There were no signs of a struggle, but Joyce Matola’s purse and car, a tan Ford, are missing, Higbee said.

Joyce Matola failed to deliver some papers to her husband’s automobile repair business and did not pick up one of her children from school as scheduled Tuesday, Higbee said.

The 16-year-old youth, who now lives in Northridge with a member of his family, has also turned up missing, Higbee said.

Because the suspect is a juvenile, Higbee would not give his name, but family members said the youth was a friend of the Matolas’ 17-year-old son, Matthew.

Forced to Leave

According to members of the Matola family, the youth was taken in by the Matolas about a year ago because he was having family problems. They said he was forced to leave several months ago because of problems they would not disclose.

According to Higbee, the youth had recently called Ryan Matola saying he loved Joyce Matola and threatened to harm family members. Higbee said the youth told Ryan Matola “something to the effect that he loved his wife and his wife ought to be with him, not with her husband.”

Higbee said the Police Department waived the usual 24-hour period required before it will investigate a missing persons case.