32-Year-Old Palmdale Woman Reported Missing

PALMDALE (CBS) — Police sought the public's help Friday to locate a Palmdale woman who went missing in South Los Angeles.

Lawayda Johnson was last seen Oct. 8 in the parking lot of a Ralphs store at Manchester and Western Avenues -- she was walking away from her grandmother's car, said Officer Cleon Joseph of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Johnson was visiting relatives and does not know anyone in the Los Angeles area, Joseph said.

"The family received a phone call from Johnson on Oct. 13," Joseph said. "Johnson apparently told them she was with a male friend and she was OK."

Joseph said Johnson also sent a text message with a photo of a man, but none of her family members recognized him.

KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta spoke with the missing woman's family.

Sources said Johnson has a medical condition. Peschiutta was told by the family that Johnson has the mental capacity of a 10-12 year old.

The missing woman is 32, black with brown hair and eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds.

Johnson was last seen wearing a burgundy blouse, jeans and black shoes. Her family believes she may have recently dyed her hair red.

Police urged anyone with information regarding Johnson's whereabouts to contact LAPD Missing Persons Unit detectives at (213) 996-1800 or (877) LAPD-24-7.