‘Michelle, You’re My Best Friend’

“When the world says give up, hope whispers, try one more.”

So read a hand-painted sign put up by the loved ones of Michelle Hoang Thi Le, the San Mateo resident who went missing May 27 and whose case police say has become a homicide investigation.

Le’s family thinks otherwise, and to demonstrate their support they held a vigil Thursday night in Hayward where they said they will continue to search for her until police can provide proof that she is gone.

“I want to do it a little bit different this time and speak to Michelle, because I know she can hear us,” said Le’s cousin Krystine Dinh, who has served as a de facto spokesperson for the family since the disappearance.

“Michelle, you’re my best friend. I’ve looked up to you my whole life. We’re still fighting for you, and we’re still optimistic.”

Dinh later told Patch that she lives in San Mateo, having moved there from Southern California to be close to her cousin.

The tearful vigil, held on a windy evening in Hayward’s Mt. Eden Park, was the so far to be organized by Le’s supporters. More than 100 people were in attendance, many of them wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a picture of the missing 26-year-old.

Le was last seen on Friday, May 27 about 7 p.m. while on duty at the Kaiser Medical Center in Hayward. Coworkers said she was stepping out to retrieve something from her car, which was parked in the underground garage below the facility. She was never heard from again.

Police say surveillance cameras filmed Le’s white Honda SUV being driven out of the parking garage, although the driver could not be made out in the footage. The car was found parked a few blocks away.

On Monday, police said forensic evidence, interviews and other evidence have led them to believe that Michelle Le was killed in that parking garage, and the case was .

Investigators also have indicated they believe Le was killed by a person or people that she knew. Focus has intensified on a particular who police have called a “person of interest.”

Although they thanked Hayward police for their work on their case, and acknowledged that investigators could not disclose too much information without compromising the case, the Le family believes more can be done. Many called on the FBI to take over the case.

Reading a statement also posted on the family's website, one family member said that “Three of the six (Hayward police) personnel assigned to Michelle’s case went on vacation, and the lead investigator was replaced with someone who has no experience working on missing persons cases.” Hayward police have not responded to the criticisms.

“We’re all holding out hope here,” said Michelle’s brother Michael Le. “I just want her home.”

Michael Le said he and his sister lost their mother 12 years ago, and their grandfather two years ago.

“I grieved then … but I’m not grieving right now,” he said. “There’s so much we can do to find her.”

For ways to help the family search for Michelle Le, visit www.michellelemissing.com.