Months after a woman known only as “Sam” was found unconscious and suffering from amnesia on a street in Carlsbad, the mystery of her identity was solved Wednesday.
Just this week, Sam turned to the media in an urgent effort to find her family after recently learning that she has advanced-stage ovarian cancer.
“My prognosis is not good and I pray my family will be found soon,” she said in a post on a Facebook page created to help find her family.
Her story generated public interest around the world, but the answer to the mystery was right here in Southern California.
A man watching the news in San Diego saw Sam’s story and recognized her immediately as his Aunt Ashley, according to KNSD.
He called his mother who confirmed Sam was actually 53-year-old Ashley Menatta, the station reported.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Menatta moved to the San Diego area several years ago, during which time her family lost touch with her, KNSD stated.
After being diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, likely caused by the cancer, the FBI became involved in the case, to publicize information and seek information about the woman, at the request of local law-enforcement officials, according to Darrell Foxworth, a spokesman for the agency.
A page on Interpol’s missing persons website includes a photo of the woman, apparently in a hospital bed, and a physical description of her.
All attempts to identify her failed.
“The only thing I know for certain is I have a faith in God,” Sam wrote on her Facebook page. “God has done a miracle in providing a ‘family’ and friends when I could not find my own.”
Menatta was now expected to move back to Maryland to live with one of her sisters, according to KNSD.