Crime & Safety
Fundraiser For Missing Woman Found Dead In Wetlands Raises $10K
A GoFundMe supporting Kolby Story's 15-year-old son raises $10,000. Her remains were found in the Ballona Wetlands.
MARINA DEL REY, CA — A fundraiser to support the teen son of Kolby Story — whose remains were found in the Ballona Wetlands this month — has raised $10,000. But her family still has questions about her disappearance.
The 32-year-old mother went missing from the Venice area in December 2020.
In a fundraiser posted via GoFundMe, family member Allison Story asks people to consider supporting Kolby Story's son, Brayden. Here's the message:
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"I am building a fundraiser for Brayden and I ask for your support. Brayden's mom disappeared 8 months ago, after months of searching we became aware of the saddening news of her death. She was a single mom, who leaves behind her beautiful son Brayden, who is now in the care of her older sister Kendall .
Thankfully, Brayden is nurtured and comforted by his Auntie Kendall who does so much to take care of him. Since Kolby's disappearance,
Kendall has taken guardianship of Brayden and completely stepped up as a caregiver for him. Kendall is a mother herself and with the addition of Brayden it has been financially difficult.
Brayden is an amazing 15-year-old and deserves a beautiful life. The funds will go towards day to day needs, a car, college and setting him up for success."
Police found Story's ID and checkbook while clearing a homeless encampment on Ocean Front Walk in Venice Beach July 16. Later that day, they discovered skeletal remains while combing a 600-acre area of the Ballona Wetlands and Ballona Creek near Marina del Rey.
Story was at Venice Beach on Dec. 6 during the afternoon near the skate park with her boyfriend and another friend. They returned to her home in Mar Vista by 7 p.m. She grabbed her sleeping bag, a backpack and a ukelele about 8:30 p.m. and told her roommate she was returning to the beach to hang out. She told her father the same thing on the phone. Story called a friend about 10:30 p.m. to ask for help because she lost her keys at the beach.
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Her brother, Josh Story, told Patch that her car was later found in the Marina del Rey police impound lot. It had a flat tire and was towed from a parking lot across from a Ralphs grocery store in Marina del Rey.
The investigation is ongoing.
"Naturally, you want to know did somebody do this to her and why because I can't imagine anybody would want to harm her," her sister Kendall Story told ABC7. "She was a very lovable person."
Authorities urged anyone with information about Story to contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division, at 213-486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.
Editor's Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional sponsor.
This story was updated at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday with the fundraiser reaching $10,000.
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