Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Camela Leierth-Segura – update: Police reveal Katy Perry songwriter wasn’t reported missing for six weeks

Follow updates on the search for missing Katy Perry songwriter Camela Leierth-Segura who was last seen in Beverly Hills back in June

Gustaf Kilander
Thursday 07 September 2023 16:18 BST
Comments
Neighbours speak out on disappearance of Katy Perry's songwriter

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Musician Camela Leierth-Segura hadn’t been seen for almost six weeks before a missing persons report was filed, according to police.

The 48-year-old Swedish native, who co-wrote the hit Katy Perry song “Walking on Air,” was last seen in the Beverly Hills area back on 29 June, according to the California Department of Justice’s missing persons page. Her friends last heard from her on 30 June.

Now, seven weeks on from when she was last seen, the talented musician, her car and her 19-year-old pet cat Morris are still missing with friends and her family back in Sweden growing increasingly concerned for her safety.

Beverly Hills Police have reassured the public that a thorough investigation is underway into her disappearance but revealed that a missing persons report was not filed until 8 August – almost six weeks after she was last seen.

“The timing is especially crucial considering, the date she is stated to have gone missing compared to when it was reported to the police,” police said in a statement.

Cecilia Foss, a longtime friend of Ms Leierth-Segura, told The Independent earlier this week that she fears someone has abducted the missing woman and is holding her somewhere.

‘I think it’s hard for them to even comprehend that she is missing'

Ms Montgomery filed a missing persons report with the Beverly Hills Police and has been in close contact with her family in Sweden.

“They are devastated and overwhelmed,” said Ms Foss, who is in contact with Montgomery every day. “With Camela here and her family in Sweden, it’s hard. I think it’s hard for them to even comprehend that she is missing.”

Ms Foss said her friend has had issues in the past with her landlord about rent. But added that she knew many people she could have asked to stay with before ever thinking of going off the grid or living in her car.

Andrea Cavallier20 August 2023 06:00

Met while working in the modelling industry in New York City

Ms Foss and Ms Leierth-Segura met while working in the modelling industry in New York City. They found common ground being from Scandinavian countries, Ms Foss from Norway and Ms Leierth-Segura from Sweden.

Both have kept busy lives, but always manage to catch up every few weeks or months over tea. Ms Leierth-Segura has a passion for writing music and treats her cat Morris as her child, her friend said.

Andrea Cavallier20 August 2023 08:00

Friends working closely with police

The friends are working closely with police and Ms Leierth-Segura’s family in their effort to find her.

In an Instagram post, Ms Montgomery urged for help from the public.

“We are extremely worried about her safety, and despite our best efforts, the local authorities have not been able to locate her,” Montgomery wrote.

“She means the world to us and time is of the essence. Her family in Sweden is pleading for your assistance.”

A GoFundMe has been created by her sister Lisa and loved ones are hoping money will help bring in information to find her.

Andrea Cavallier20 August 2023 10:00

‘I think it’s hard for them to even comprehend that she is missing'

Ms Montgomery filed a missing persons report with the Beverly Hills Police and has been in close contact with her family in Sweden.

“They are devastated and overwhelmed,” said Ms Foss, who is in contact with Montgomery every day. “With Camela here and her family in Sweden, it’s hard. I think it’s hard for them to even comprehend that she is missing.”

Ms Foss said her friend has had issues in the past with her landlord about rent. But added that she knew many people she could have asked to stay with before ever thinking of going off the grid or living in her car.

Andrea Cavallier20 August 2023 11:00

Musician who wrote Katy Perry hit song mysteriously vanishes from Beverly Hills

A musician who co-wrote the hit Katy Perry song “Walking on Air” has mysteriously vanished from Beverly Hills, sparking growing fears for her safety.

Swedish-born Camela Leierth-Segura, 48, was last seen in the Beverly Hills area back on 29 June, according to the California Department of Justice’s missing persons page.

Read more:

Musician who wrote Katy Perry hit song mysteriously vanishes from Beverly Hills

Camela Leierth-Segura, 48, vanished from the Beverly Hills area more than six weeks ago

Rachel Sharp20 August 2023 12:00

Missing following eviction

Ms Leierth-Segura’s friends told ABC7 that they last heard from her the following day on 30 June and that her car – a 2010 silver Ford Fusion – was seen “in the middle of the night” that night.

Six weeks later, there are still no signs of the talented musician or the Ford Fusion she was driving.

Ms Leierth-Segura’s 19-year-old pet cat Morris is also missing.

The 48-year-old model and musician had been evicted from her apartment sometime before her sudden disappearance because she had been unable to pay the rent, according to friends.

It is not clear when exactly she was evicted or where she was staying afterwards.

Rachel Sharp20 August 2023 14:00

Sister living in Sweden raises alarm

The alarm was raised for the missing woman when her sister, who lives in Sweden, had been unable to get in touch with her for several weeks.

Concerned, she contacted some of her sibling’s friends in the US to ask for their help in finding her.

Friend Liz Montgomery told ABC7 that she filed a missing person’s report to try to find her as fears continue to grow that something may have happened to her.

In an Instagram post, Ms Montgomery also urged for help in tracking down the missing woman.

“This is a personal friend of mine. A best friend. People are asking so, YES! PLEASE SHARE - HELP NEEDED! My dear friend of over 25 years is missing. LAST SEEN IN BEVERLY HILLS ON JUNE 29,2023,” she wrote.

Rachel Sharp20 August 2023 16:00

‘This is a personal friend of mine. A best friend'

Friend Liz Montgomery told ABC7 that she filed a missing person’s report to try to find her as fears continue to grow that something may have happened to her.

In an Instagram post, Ms Montgomery also urged for help in tracking down the missing woman.

“This is a personal friend of mine. A best friend. People are asking so, YES! PLEASE SHARE - HELP NEEDED! My dear friend of over 25 years is missing. LAST SEEN IN BEVERLY HILLS ON JUNE 29,2023,” she wrote.

“We are extremely worried about her safety, and despite our best efforts, the local authorities have not been able to locate her. If you have any information, even the smallest detail can help, please reach out immediately.”

She added: “She means the world to us and time is of the essence. Her family in Sweden is pleading for your assistance. PLEASE spread the word, SHARE this post, and help us bring Camela home safely. Thank you for your support and assistance in this critical matter.”

Rachel Sharp20 August 2023 18:00

‘Do I think something bad happened? Yeah’

Friend Cecilia Foss told ABC7 that she fears something “bad” has happened to the 48-year-old.

“I’d like to think that nothing bad happened, but do I think something bad happened? Yeah,” she said.

Neighbours told the outlet they hadn’t seen her in weeks, pointing out that the usually well-tended plants on her balcony are now dead.

Ms Leierth-Segura is originally from Sweden but moved to California where she works as a model and musician.

As well as co-writing the hit Katy Perry song, she also released songs on YouTube and Spotify.

Ms Leierth-Segura is described as a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes who is around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Beverly Hills Police Department at 310-285-2184.

Rachel Sharp20 August 2023 20:00

Missing persons report was filed six weeks after singer went missing, police say

Camela Leierth-Segura was last seen in the Beverly Hills area back on 29 June, according to the California Department of Justice.

Now, six weeks on from when she was last seen, the talented musician, her car and her 19-year-old pet cat Morris are still missing.

Beverly Hills police told Fox News Digital in a statement that a missing persons report was not filed until 8 August.

“After speaking with a Detective Bureau supervisor, I learned the (missing person) report was taken on 8/8/23, and this is an ongoing Missing Persons investigation,” the law enforcement said in an email.

“The timing is especially crucial considering, the date she is stated to have gone missing compared to when it was reported to the police,” the law enforcement said in an email.”

Andrea Blanco20 August 2023 21:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in