Missing OKC Man May Be Connected To Slain Bethany Teen Found In Duffel Bag

Michael Konopasek, News9; Xin Xin Liu, News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A man who Oklahoma City police reported missing Monday may have helped the 19-year-old woman whose remains were found in a duffel bag in Bethany.

According to the police report, Cody Perez, 21, was last seen Monday, October 10, when he was dropped off at Platt College at Memorial and N. May Avenue. Police said he attends Culinary School at Platt College, and works at the Olive Garden on Memorial.

10/18/2011 Related Story: OKC Police Ask For Help In Search For Missing Man

Police said Rachel Hope Laraway, Perez's mother, reported to police that she thought Carina Saunders, a young woman who was found dead behind the Homeland near N.W. 23rd Street and N. Rockwell Avenue in Bethany, was the woman who Perez was helping before he went missing.

10/17/2011 Related Story: Body Found In Duffel Bag In Bethany Identified As Missing Teen

Laraway said Perez does not have any medical conditions, and was not on any prescriptions. She said Perez has not left like this before without telling anyone.

According to the report, Perez was last seen wearing his blue and white, culinary uniform with checkered pants, and was carrying a black case with knives in it. He had a black chef hat, a white jacket and black shoes.

Police said Perez had several tattoos on his body, including "Jasmine" on the left side of his chest, "the Hatchet Man" on the right side of his body, and "Clown Love" on his right arm. He also had "Kayla" on the right side of his neck, a tear drop under his left eye, and "Rachel" on his right hand.

Laraway said she fears something may have happened to Perez because he was having problems with another man. She said the man came to their apartment one night and threatened "He was gonna take it to the next level."

According to the police report, Laraway said she contacted everyone associated with Perez, including his girlfriend, and no one had heard or seen him. He had not been to school or work for the last week.

Police said Perez did not have a car or a cell phone with him.

Perez stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds, police said.

According to police, both Saunders and Perez received threats before they disappeared. Anyone with information about Perez's whereabouts should immediately call 911.

Lydia Rucker , Perez's aunt, released the following statement on behalf of Perez's family:

"Cody is a father, son, brother, nephew, and friend to anyone who need one. We are worried for Cody. Our hearts are hurting that we do not know where he is. We plead with anyone out there, who might know of Cody's whereabouts, to please call police. We all want Cody home safe. "