Panama police eye US man in missing woman case

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Panamanian police have named a U.S. citizen as a person of interest in the disappearance of a 42-year-old California woman last seen on an archipelago near the Costa Rica border.

Police in Panama and the United States haven't named Brian Brimager as a suspect as they investigate the case of Yvonne Baldelli, who was reportedly dating Brimager. But Panama national police official Alexis Munoz says Sunday that Brimager has raised investigators' interest.

Panama police say Brimager left Panama for Costa Rica and the United States some 10 days after last being seen with Baldelli in November on the Bocas del Toro islands. Baldelli was reported missing in January by her family.

Munoz says witnesses report the couple had a "violent" relationship and frequently fought and argued. Panamanian officials say Brimager took Baldelli to the islands.