Search for missing Cottage Hospital nurse expands across state lines

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara Police Department is collaborating with the Ventura Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff's Office in the search for a Santa Barbara woman who went missing one week ago today.

Friends and family said they have not seen or heard from Ashley Zachman after making it home last Friday evening around 5:00 or 5:30 p.m. following her shift at Cottage Hospital. The 36-year-old works in the cardiac cath lab, according to coworkers.

Cottage Health released the following statement Friday, June 5:

We are working with authorities to offer the assistance they need to help find Ashley.  Our thoughts are with our colleague and her family. We are all hoping for her prompt and safe return.

A detective working the case said so far, the week-long search has failed to locate Zachman or her car and efforts to find the missing woman have expanded into other states.

SBPD issued a media release last Tuesday announcing the search for an "at-risk, missing" woman.

Zachman's family, who lives in Camarillo, told NewsChannel 3 earlier this week that police found Ashley's phone at her home but her car was gone. Ashley's parents say this is out-of-character for her, she has never just disappeared before.

Ashley Zachman is 5-foot-5 with brown hair and blue eyes. Her car is a white 2008 Mazda 3. The family put out flyers listing the license plate number as: 6DRL358.

Zachman worked at Huntington Hospital before moving to Cottage Hospital in March.

If you have any information about Ashley Zachman's whereabouts please contact SBPD at 805-897-2300. If you see her, call 911.