Man wanted for questioning in 6-month-long Fowler missing persons case

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fernando Subia, 46, has not been seen for six months. Detectives say Randy Lay, 55, was likely with him in the days before he vanished.

The Subia family is pleading for help. Detectives are running low on leads, but hoping to track Lay, who is wanted for questioning. This case is still classified as a missing persons case, but it's being handled by homicide investigators.

Liz Subia and her four children never imagined they'd sit on their living room couch pleading for answers. For six months they've been tormented, wondering what happened to Fernando Subia.

"I feel that somebody does know something, but I don't know who," Liz said.

She says detectives have not found any traces of her husband. The family even hired a private investigator to help. Their case has also come up mostly empty.

Fernando was last seen Dec. 9, at the intersection of Clovis and Adams near Fowler. Detectives are searching now for Lay. They say he either talked to or was with Fernando right before he disappeared.

With no answers, Liz tries to keep it together for her and the kids. "They have a hard time and have a lot of questions," she said. "But I don't have any answers. I just tell them that we have to trust God and wherever daddy's at that God's taking care of him. That's the only thing I know to say to them."

Court documents obtained by Action News provide a glimpse into the case. The investigation was handed over to the homicide unit when, in March, there was information that Fernando was possibly killed. Detectives never found a body. The case remains open as a missing persons investigation.

Liz is hopeful the man she's known since 7th grade is still alive. A cancer survivor, she says the unknown is far worse than her previous battle.

"But this is unbearable to not know where your loved one is at, to me, is worse than the treatment, because it's like you're being tortured," Liz said.

The family hopes no one forgets this case or forgets Fernando's face. There is a $9,000 reward being offered for help solving this case.

Detectives say Lay is known to frequent Selma, Fowler and Modesto. He also goes by the nickname "Red."

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the Fresno County Sheriff's Office at (559) 600-3111.