Slain Girl’s Ghostly Image to Turn to Real

A blank billboard that drew tens of thousands of onlookers to what they said was the ghostly likeness of a slain 9-year-old San Ysidro girl will, starting Friday, feature her picture and a phone number people can call to report any information about her murder.

Crowds have been flocking to Beyer Boulevard in Chula Vista since mid-July, when some viewers claimed the play of light and shadow on the blank, white billboard created the outline of Laura Arroyo, who was snatched from her home and murdered June 19. Her body was found in Chula Vista.

The 14-foot-by-48-foot billboard will soon have Laura’s picture and the words “In Memory--Laura Arroyo, said Frank Sanchez, general manager of the billboard company. It will go up Friday morning and stay up for at least 60 days. The message will also have a line reading: “Please report any information to the Laura Arroyo tip line: 422-5155.”

The billboard company received many calls from nearby residents complaining about the traffic that the board was attracting, Sanchez said. Officials met with Luis Arroyo, Laura’s father, and Chula Vista police to decide on the public message, Sanchez said.

In an effort to defuse the nightly spectacle, officials from the billboard company turned off the lights July 20, only to have someone turn them on again the next night. On July 22, the three bulbs that illuminate the board were removed, but someone replaced them a few days later. Officials decided to leave the lights on until the message goes up.

Visitors have also erected a candlelight shrine at the base of the billboard, with drawings of the Virgin Mary and offerings of flowers. The site became a nocturnal shrine, drawing thousands of believers, mostly Latino Catholics from the South Bay area.

Interest in the billboard dwindled after officials temporarily turned off the lights, police said. After drawing up to 20,000 people a night, the billboard attracted fewer than 40 Tuesday night, said Chula Vista Lt. Richard Strickland.

Chula Vista investigators said they have received about 100 to 150 calls and tips since Laura’s image was first reportedly seen on the billboard. “We are making progress,” said Detective Wayne Maxey, adding that the public service message would help keep the case in the public eye.

“People who have information about the murder who didn’t come forward may come forward now,” Maxey said.

“There’s nothing we can do to bring her back,” Sanchez said. “But I think what we’re trying to do is keep it in perspective. This is going to be much more meaningful, it’s recognizable--instead of something people think they are seeing or hope to see--and we hope it will help nail the killer.”