Gun Owned by Missing Woman Is Returned

A handgun taken from the purse of Jana Carpenter-Koklich, a former state senator’s daughter who has been missing since Aug. 21, was turned over to authorities Wednesday.

A Signal Hill minister gave the gun to sheriff’s deputies after asking people in the community to return the weapon.

Carpenter-Koklich’s car was found abandoned Aug. 27 in a garage in Signal Hill, but her purse was not in it. The purse and her cell phone were returned to deputies last week, Deputy Rich Pena said, but authorities have not said by whom.

The minister, who was not identified, had offered a $150 reward for whoever returned the gun Carpenter-Koklich was known to have carried, Pena said.

“They’re taking the gun to the Scientific Services Bureau to see if it offers any clues” to Carpenter-Koklich’s disappearance, Pena said.

Carpenter-Koklich, 41, of Lakewood was reported missing by her husband. She is the daughter of former state Sen. Paul Carpenter (D-Cypress).

Three unidentified teenagers had been seen earlier joy-riding in her car, Deputy Faye Bugarin said. It does not appear that the youths had anything to do with Carpenter-Koklich’s disappearance, authorities said.