SAN ANTONIO — The family of Kassandra Gonzalez says the past year has been difficult, but Sunday they showed their strength and determination to find her.
"I won't stop until I find her, and I'm not going to let people forget about her," said Alyssa Ballard, Kassandra's Sister.
Sunday marks one year since Kassandra Gonzalez was seen leaving her brother's apartment on Silver Sands Drive, near Blanco Road.
Ballard says she left with a friend and was never heard from again.
"She didn't show up to work the next day. Three days went by before her job recognized that she wasn't calling in," said Ballard.
Ballard says Kassandra would occasionally disappear for a day or two, but would keep in contact.
"Lack of communication is what really triggered it that something's wrong. Cassandra wouldn't just walk away. She wouldn't just walk away from her children, her family," said Ballard.
Kassandra's family says she struggles with mental health issues, including depression. Her longtime friend, Guadalupe Cantu, says her disappearance is concerning.
"She loved her kids very much. She was always like, even though whatever situation she was going through with her kids, she was there for her kids," said Cantu.
Ballard says the past year has been an emotional roller coaster and says Kassandra's disappearance has left a thorn in her heart, but through the pain they keep searching.
Sunday afternoon they held an outreach event at Father Albert Benavides Park, with the assistance of Search & Support San Antonio. They handed out fliers and information about Kassandra's case, keeping her name, face and story out in the public.
"I'm not going to give up until I find Cassandra. Until I find her, and so she reaches out, because I believe she's still out there. If she reaches out to me and says, 'I'm okay,' I'll stop looking, or if I find her body, if God forbid, she's gone," said Ballard.
If you know anything about Kassandra Gonzalez's case you're urged to contact SAPD's Missing Person's Unit 210-207-7660 or you can contact Search & Support San Antonio.