UPDATE: Woman Found Dead in Vacaville Identified as Sandra Coke

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2:45 p.m.

By Bay City New Service

A woman who was found dead in Vacaville on Friday has been identified as missing 50-year-old Norh Oakland resident Sandra Coke, Oakland police said today (Tuesday).

Police spokeswoman Johnna Watson said at a brief news conference at police headquarters this afternoon that the department is unable to more details about the case at this point.

"We're extremely limited in the amount of information we can share with the community," Watson said.

About an hour after the police press conference, Coke's family issued the following statement:

“The Coke family is devastated by the loss of our beloved Sandra.  She was a loving mother, daughter, sister and auntie, and a shining light in our family; her good cheer, easy laugh and generous hugs will be missed.

"Those of us who were privileged to know Sandra will remember her as an unusually kind, generous and big-hearted person.

"She passionately devoted her professional life to helping the poor and those who endured difficult childhoods.

"All of us will miss Sandra’s beautiful, giving spirit.

"We want to express our deepest thanks to the hundreds of caring people in local, state and federal law enforcement, current and former colleagues, friends, and members of the public and the media — who labored day and night to assist with the search for Sandra.

"Your care and expressions of concern have been humbling. We are so grateful to each of you for your kindness and support during this most difficult time.

"We also want to thank the wonderful friends and colleagues who have created the Sandra Coke Fund to provide for her daughter’s care and education.

"Our family and Sandra’s daughter will need time and privacy to mourn our loss. We thank you for understanding our need for privacy at this time. Thank you again for all of your support in bringing home our beloved Sandra.” 

Coke had last been seen by her 15-year-old daughter when she left her home in the 600 block of Aileen Street in Oakland at around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 4. She was reported missing after she failed to return home that evening.

Coke's car was found parked in the 800 block of 32nd Street in Oakland on the evening of Aug. 5, and police said they found one of her two cellphones discarded along Interstate Highway 80 in Richmond.

Last Thursday, the search for Coke focused on an area near Lake Chabot behind Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo.

The next day, searchers began scouring Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville and found a body in a rural area west of I-80, across from the park, Solano County sheriff's officials said.

Coke was an investigator for the federal public defender's office in Sacramento, and many of her colleagues participated in the search for her.

Oakland police have identified convicted sex offender Randy Alana, 56, as a person of interest in Coke's disappearance. The two had dated in the distant past, police said.

Alana is currently in custody on an unrelated parole violation.

Coke is believed to have been with Alana on the night of her disappearance, according to police.

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Rockridge Patch contributed to this article.

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