Local Teacher Seeks Answers and Assistance in the Disappearance of Schizophrenic Son
A local teacher in Oxnard, California, Valarie Ulrich, is living every parent’s worst nightmare as she searches for answers and pleads for assistance in finding her son, Evan Ochoa. The 23-year-old, who suffers from severe schizophrenia, went missing without a trace nearly three weeks ago. Ulrich, along with her family, is deeply concerned about Evan’s safety and well-being.
Evan was last seen on October 22 at their home in Oxnard. According to family members, he left abruptly without any money and took only a skateboard and a backpack with him. Ulrich revealed that Evan started exhibiting peculiar tendencies after experiencing periods of homelessness and checking into a drug rehabilitation facility. These tendencies included repeating bizarre phrases, talking to himself, and expressing outlandish ideas.
Ulrich shared that Evan had been in jail in 2020 after threatening a former friend’s father. He spent a year in jail while the courts attempted to restore his mental health to a level where he could stand trial. However, due to COVID-related issues and a lack of available space in state hospitals, Evan was released and deemed fit for trial.
After his release, Evan was placed under the care of a psychiatrist who diagnosed him with schizoaffective disorder. Despite dealing with symptoms of his mental illness, Evan and his family experienced a period of relative stability. He could still engage in conversations and interact appropriately with the outside world, even though he experienced auditory hallucinations and had unusual beliefs. Ulrich and her family focused on helping him remain sober and stay on track with his medications.
Ulrich, a teacher at Channel Islands High School, explained that Evan decided to get a job after overcoming his drug addiction. Unfortunately, this disrupted his daily routine, which ultimately led him to stop taking his psychiatric medication altogether. Subsequently, Evan ended up back in jail. Upon his release in January 2023, he returned home completely detached from reality.
Valerie Ulrich attempted to seek conservatorship for Evan, but the existing laws did not deem him eligible. Despite his inability to make sound decisions, he was not considered suitable for conservatorship. In most of 2023, Evan rarely left the house due to his anxiety. However, during a manic episode, he called 911 to turn himself in for a bench warrant related to his failure to appear in court for his 2020 sentencing.
Evan was eventually sentenced to time served and placed on parole. However, his demeanor had changed significantly. He became more depressed, distant, and quiet than ever before. Just when Ulrich expected another manic period to occur, Evan did the unexpected. He became secretive and disappeared on that fateful October day, leaving no indication of where he was going or why.
Initially, the Ventura Police Department was contacted about Evan’s disappearance, as the family believed that he might be located in that area. However, they have now filed a missing person’s report with the Oxnard Police Department. Ulrich emphasizes that despite Evan’s flaws, he has a loving family waiting for him and desperately wants to help him have a future beyond his mental illness.
Evan has ties to East Ventura and Fillmore, where his father used to reside. He is described as standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a button-up shirt, black pants, and white Nike shoes.
If anyone has information about Evan’s whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7656.
As personal injury bloggers, we understand the importance of mental health and its intersection with personal safety. We empathize with Valarie Ulrich and her family during this difficult time and hope for Evan’s safe return.
Category: Personal Injury Law
