Public’s Help Sought : Missing Pair Not Alone, Police Hint

Police said Friday that they have reason to believe that someone else was with two Thousand Oaks college students who disappeared late Monday night after leaving an apartment in Westwood.

At a press conference Friday, police appealed to witnesses who might have seen Brian E. Harris, 20, and Michelle Ann Boyd, 18, as they left the Gayley Avenue apartment. Harris and Boyd were last seen by Boyd’s roommate when the couple walked out to Harris’ car about 11 p.m. Monday.

Investigators refused to give further details on any other person who might have been with the couple.

In the meantime, friends and family of the couple said they will gather this morning to distribute 3,000 flyers in Westwood and West Los Angeles in hopes of uncovering new information about the couple’s whereabouts.

‘Miss Them a Lot’

“Everyone is so concerned about Michelle and Brian,” said Tom De Savia, 19, who has helped organize today’s effort. “We all miss them a lot.”

Police said it is possible that the couple drove to the Santa Monica beach area, a favorite destination for them, after leaving the apartment, but that has not been determined.

Harris’ car, a dark brown 1981 Honda Civic, was set ablaze Tuesday morning in the rear of a South Los Angeles auto parts store, arson investigators said. There is no suspect in either the arson or the disappearance, police said.

Credit cards, textbooks and other items belonging to Harris were found in the car after the fire was extinguished. Boyd’s keys also were found, investigators said Friday.

Worked in Same Store

Boyd and Harris began dating after meeting last summer at a Thousand Oaks record store where they both worked part time.

Boyd, a UCLA freshman, had just begun classes Monday and had moved to the apartment two weeks ago. Harris, who lives with his parents in Thousand Oaks, attends California State University, Northridge.

Harris is described as 6-foot-3, weighing 185 pounds and having a pierced left ear. He was wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt when last seen. Boyd is 5-foot-4 and weighs about 110 pounds. She was wearing pink clothing Monday night.