Friends of missing Watsonville man hold on to hope

A dusty Volkswagen sat in the parking lot of the Vista Del Mar apartment complex in Watsonville , Thursday.

Resident, Joseph Martinez, said the car belongs to his long-time neighbor, Hugo Mar. Mar was reported missing on July 1st . ” It was very sad when the daughter brought the car. She went upstairs to look for him. The apartment was a mess, she said. The car was parked at the airport, ” said Martinez.

A note that reads, ‘please call if parked in your spot,’ was taped to the inside of the vehicle. A phone number was also listed.

Martinez believes Mar wrote the note before he took off in a stolen plane at the Watsonville Municipal Airport. The Watsonville Police Department has been investigating this theory for the past two weeks. ” I don’t know where he was headed or what his plans were. He never mentioned a plane license to me or taking a plane. Nothing like that, ” said Martinez.

Watsonville Police officers said the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) preliminary investigation determined that the plane crashed into the ocean, off the coast of Santa Cruz, leaving no survivors. No remnants of the plane, or Mar, have been found.

Martinez is unsure why Mar would decide to take off, but said his neighbor was going through a tough time. ” He was really bummed that he couldn’t find a job. He started drinking a lot, ” said Martinez.

The Physicians Assistant Board of California said Mar was placed on probation in September 2016 for charges related to forging a prescription. Mar was to work under supervision of board for the next five years. Officials said he ultimately decided to close his practice in October 2018.

Other friends of Mar said, they too, saw him in an unusual state of distress. ” His demeanor was a little down. I did not get the details. I was running somewhere. I’m sure he was busy too. I didn’t have the opportunity. I wish I had, ” said friend, Lilia Gallardo .

Those that said they knew Mar are holding onto hope. ” I just pray to God that he’s still good, that he’s still alive, ” said Gallardo .

Investigators are still searching for the stolen plane and Mar. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department at 831-768-3321.