Fairfield police say disappearance of Chantel Brooks may have involved foul play

By Richard Ramos

The Fairfield Police Department said on Tuesday that they believe the disappearance of 36-year-old Chantel Brooks involved foul play. Brooks was last seen on surveillance footage from July 17 leaving a CVS on East Travis Boulevard in Fairfield.

Police said surveillance footage shows Brooks arriving at the Fairfield CVS more than an hour after leaving her job at a hotel in San Francisco. Investigators said the footage shows Brooks walking to her vehicle in the CVS parking lot. Her family said they have not heard from her since.

Brooks was last seen wearing a brown multicolored hat, a red zip-up hoodie, gray pants and brown furry boots.

Her brothers said Brooks’ sudden disappearance was especially concerning because she regularly stayed in contact with family and had not been active on social media.

“I kind of got a feeling when I saw that I didn’t see her location,” Brooks’ brother Omar said. “She hasn’t been active on her social media, that’s a big red flag to her.”

Family members have posted flyers near the Fairfield CVS and are urging anyone who may have information about Brooks to come forward. 

Fairfield police said detectives have issued dozens of search warrants, conducted multiple coordinated ground searches and carried out extensive aerial drone searches as part of the investigation.

Police said search-and-rescue resources through the California Office of Emergency Services have also been involved in the search.  

Police said they are also working closely with the Solano County District Attorney’s Office and continuing to follow leads in the case.

“Our investigation will remain active as we continue working to find Chantel and determine what happened to her,” the department said. “We remain committed to providing answers to her family and our community.”

Brooks’ family said the investigation has been difficult, particularly after police informed them that investigators believe foul play was involved.

“This could happen to anyone. This could be your mother, this could be your daughter, this could be your aunt, this could be your niece,” one of Brooks’ brothers said.

Police are asking anyone who has information about Brooks’ whereabouts to contact authorities. Investigators have also urged anyone who has seen her vehicle, a black 2021 Infiniti QX50 with California license plate 9SBB134, since July 17 to contact Fairfield police.

The family said the last known license plate activity associated with Brooks’ vehicle was recorded in Oakland, although police have not confirmed additional details about that information.  

The investigation remains ongoing.