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Now You Can Help Search For Missing Seattle Hiker Samantha Sayers

David Lohr
Updated ·6 min read
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(Photo: Handout/Steve Monchak)

A Washington state drone pilot is putting a new twist on missing person searches by asking volunteers to examine images that may offer digital evidence of a hiker who vanished four weeks ago today.

Steve Monchak, owner of PNW Dronetography in Darrington, Washington, is using a Phantom 4 Pro to survey the mountainous terrain of the North Cascades in an attempt to locate Samantha “Sam” Sayers.

The challenge, until recently, was finding enough manpower to scour thousands of images that could hold clues to the whereabouts of the 28-year-old woman, who was last seen on Vesper Peak in Snohomish County on Aug. 1. The solution: Crowdsourcing an army of volunteers online to examine each pixel in Monchak’s drone images.

“The online aspect of this is huge,” Monchak, 39, told HuffPost. “I couldn’t do it alone. After you look through a couple hundred images, your eyes get pretty tired, so these people are a great help. They are finding things and notifying us of unusual objects. It just proves we can all work together on the same project from anywhere.”

The drone allows Monchak to target areas that haven’t been covered by ground searchers or would be exceptionally dangerous to explore on foot.

(Photo: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560/2238261462914581/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">wwwfacebookcom/SnoCoSheriff</a>)

It’s unclear whether the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, which suspended its own search effort on Aug. 23, is aware of the crowdsourcing effort. The agency did not respond to a request for a comment on Wednesday.

The project is similar to a crowdsourcing campaign started after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. The plane, which was carrying more than 200 people from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, vanished on March 8, 2014. It is presumed to have crashed in the far southern Indian Ocean.

More than 2 million people examined satellite images of suspected crash locations captured by Colorado-based satellite operator DigitalGlobe. While it’s been reported that some debris has washed ashore in various places, the plane has yet to be found.

Monchak, a former Army soldier who’s typically hired to photograph weddings and real estate, said he’s spent nearly three weeks surveying the mountain. He estimates he’s covered approximately 23 miles of terrain so far.

“I hike up the mountain and can fly out about 3 to 4 miles from where I am standing,” he said. “I can easily cover more area in a day than 100 searchers can, and it’s being done without endangering lives. The drone can cover steep faces of the mountain without having to send someone in on foot, and it can examine crevices without having to have someone rope down them.”

The drone recently captured an image of a jacket in an area nearly inaccessible to ground searchers. The find, according to the missing woman’s mother, Lisa Sayers, proves the value of having a remote-controlled eye in the sky.

“When it was spotted, we used the GPS coordinates to send people out there to locate it,” Lisa Sayers told HuffPost. “It did not belong to [my daughter], but it shows that our volunteer army is working.”

Sam Sayers, described by her family and friends as an experienced hiker, set out on the morning of Aug. 1 for a solo hike in the North Cascades. According to the sheriff’s office, a group of hikers reported seeing her on her way up Vesper Peak around midmorning. Another hiker told police he saw her the same day at the 6,220-foot summit and watched her head south from there.

Sayers was reported missing after she didn’t show up for a 6 p.m. check-in with her boyfriend. Despite multiple searches, authorities have found no clues about where Sayers went after walking away from Vesper Peak. None of her personal belongings, such as her cellphone or car keys, have been located.

Sayers turned 28 on August 13, roughly two weeks after she disappeared. Her mother describes her daughter as a “warrior” who is more than capable of taking care of herself.

“She’s still alive,” Lisa Sayers said. “I put my trust and hope in God and all the people praying for us and helping us.”

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Samantha Sayers grew up in Girard, Pennsylvania, a small borough in the Erie metropolitan statistical area. In high school, she was diagnosed with <a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/alopecia-areata#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;cpos:9;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-rapid-parsed="slk" data-rapid_p="6" data-v9y="1">alopecia</a>, an incurable autoimmune disorder that attacks hair follicles, causing hair to fall out. (Photo: Instagram)

Monchak, who’s been donating his time to the search project, said he decided to get involved because he wanted to help Sayers’ family. She grew up In Girard, Pennsylvania, and he grew up in a borough not far from there, he said.

According to Monchak, anyone can help examine the images, which are hosted online. New images will be added on a regular basis, he said.

Monchak estimates that volunteers numbering in the hundreds have spent countless unpaid hours looking at the drone images. He said some volunteers are getting more technical, using photo software to identify specific colors ― namely, items Sayers had with her at the time of her disappearance.

“We know that Sam had gray on and we also know she had some [maroon] on,” he said. “There is a gentleman from Wings of Mercy on Facebook who has a program that can match up colors. We just identified a red object and I will be flying directly to that next because it has really piqued my interest.”

A HuffPost report about Sayers on Tuesday recalled the story of a 66-year-old woman who disappeared while hiking along the Appalachian Trail. She had few supplies, yet somehow survived at least 26 days in the wilderness. Her story and similar stories search and rescue teams have shared with Sayers’ family indicate there is a possibility that she could still alive.

“You can’t just disappear,” Lisa Sayers said. “Until there’s proof otherwise, my girl is out there and we are going to find her.”

With time of the essence, Monchak said he’s making a 4-mile hike up the mountain on Wednesday afternoon. In addition to getting a closer look at the unknown red object, he plans to examine crevices for clues. Like Lisa Sayers, he said he’s not going to give up searching.

“I’m going to continue doing this until she’s found,” He said. “We can see a tennis ball from 150 feet up, so if Sam’s out there, we will see her.”

Lisa Sayers, left, and her missing daughter, Sam. (Photo: Facebook)

You ― the person reading this story right now ― can help find Sam Sayers by volunteering to examine drone images. Click here for information on how to get started.

Sayers’ loved ones are also seeking volunteers with experience traversing treacherous terrain. Anyone interested should visit the Facebook group #findsamsayers or findsamsayers.com.

Samantha Sayers is a 5-foot-8-inch white woman weighing 125 pounds. She was last seen wearing dark gray pants and a maroon hoodie. She had two hiking poles, a blue backpack, a beige sun hat and a dark gray wool beanie.

Anyone with any information should call the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at 425-388-3808 or 425-388-3523.

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Also on HuffPost

Samantha Sayers

Since Aug. 1, 2018, Samantha &ldquo;Sam&rdquo; Sayers, 28, has been missing in the mountains of Washington state.&nbsp;<br /><br />On the <a href="Samantha Sayers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">morning of her disappearance</a>, Sayers made the two-hour drive from her Seattle home for a solo hike at Vesper Peak in the North Cascades in Snohomish County. She is familiar with the area and <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/missing-hikers-mom-message_us_5b721fa8e4b0bdd0620c2b57" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previously went hiking there</a> several times.&nbsp;<br /><br />Samantha Sayers was supposed to contact her boyfriend, Kevin Dares, around 6 p.m. When she didn&rsquo;t, he went looking for her. He located her vehicle parked at the trailhead. Despite increasing darkness, he hiked 2 miles along the rocky pathway before he was forced to turn back. He then notified a local ranger station.&nbsp;<br /><br />According to the Snohomish County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office, a group of hikers reported seeing Samantha Sayers on her way up Vesper Peak around midmorning on Aug. 1. Another hiker reported seeing her the same day at the 6,220-foot summit and then he watched her head south from the summit.&nbsp;<br /><br />The search led by the sheriff's office was <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/authorities-suspend-search-missing-seattle-hiker_us_5b85a9afe4b0cf7b002fc209?f9m" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">suspended on Aug. 23, 2018</a>. Sayers' family has since taken over coordinating volunteer search efforts.&nbsp;<br /><br />Friends and family members are posting updates to a Facebook group, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/194935701378932/?ref=group_header" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#findsamsayers</a>. They are encouraging everyone to share her story using the hashtag #FindSamSayers. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Snohomish County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office at 425-388-3808 or 425-388-3523.

Tamala Wells

Tamala Wells, of Detroit, Michigan, disappeared on August 6, 2012. Her mother, Donna Wells-Davis, learned of her daughter's disappearance on Aug. 7, 2012, when she received a phone call from her granddaughter, who was then 6 years old. The little girl said that her mom, then 33, had gone out the previous night and never returned. <br /><br />The mystery deepened when the Pontiac Wells had supposedly been driving was found abandoned just a few blocks from her home. <br /><br />In an interview with HuffPost, the father of Wells' daughter denied any involvement in Wells' disappearance, but he didn't deny how he feels about the mother of his child -- or about the child herself. <br /><br />"She gives me a headache," Rickey Tennant said. "[Wells] used to give me a headache, but I dealt with it, and I'm looking at it right now as 'one headache is better than two headaches.'" <br /><br /><strong>READ:</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tamala-wells-one-less-headache_566b0708e4b0f290e522f3bd?utm_hp_ref=cold-cases">Ex-Boyfriend Calls Missing Woman One Less '€˜Headache'</a>

David Neily

David Neily disappeared in Mendocino County, Calif., on April 14, 2006. Additional information can be found at this link: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/donald-cavanaugh-david-neily-missing_n_4319266.html?utm_source=Alert-blogger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BNotifications" target="_blank">www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/donald-cavanaugh-david-neily-missing_n_4319266.html</a> Neily was 69 years old when he was last seen. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had gray hair, green eyes and a white beard. He suffered from stunted growth due to a heart murmur, and as a result his legs were not proportional to his body. Anyone with information asked to call Sgt. Jason Caudillo at (707) 468-3423 or the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Anonymous tip line at (707) 234-2100.

Jason Ellis

Jason Ellis, of Indianapolis, has been missing since Dec. 3, 2006. According to <a href="http://projectjason.org/forums/topic/1733-missing-man-jason-ellis-in-1242006/" target="_hplink">Project Jason</a>, Ellis disappeared from an apartment he shared with two roommates. One of the roommates allegedly told police that Ellis, then 20, had left and taken his belongings with him. However, Ellis' last two paychecks were untouched and his car was still parked at the residence. In 2010, authorities told local media that they suspect Ellis is the victim of a homicide, but investigators did not elaborate. At the time of his disappearance, Ellis was 160 pounds and 6 feet 1 inch tall. He had a tattoo of his mother's name, Neatrice, on his chest, tattoos of Scooby and Scrappy Doo on his left arm, and a tattoo of a maple leaf and his name on his right arm. Anyone with information regarding Ellis' disappearance is asked to call the Indianapolis Police Department at (317) 413-7440.

Ann Marie Newark

Authorities in New Braunfels, Texas, are trying to locate 53-year-old Ann Newark. According to the <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Woman-missing-in-New-Braunfels-4904696.php" target="_hplink">San Antonio Express-News</a>, she was last seen on Sept. 12, 2013, leaving her New Braunfels home after a brief argument with a family member. Authorities said Newark suffers from depression and is believed to be armed with a handgun. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and 160 pounds. She has blonde shoulder-length hair, hazel eyes and a scar on her throat. Anyone with information about Newark's whereabouts is asked to contact the New Braunfels Police Department at (830) 221-4100.

Dara Hagans

Dara Hagans, 32, of Wilmington, Del., was last seen on Oct. 16, 2013, when she left the Christiana Care healthcare facility on West 14th Street. According to <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com/cdad/index.cfm?MissingInfoID=1700" target="_hplink"> Black &amp; Missing Foundation Inc.</a>, Hagans suffers from a unspecified medical condition and there is a &ldquo;genuine concern for her safety and welfare.&rdquo; She may be operating a blue 2005 Ford Focus with Delaware registration 595519. Hagans is described as 200 pounds and 5 feet 3 inches tall. She has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call (877) 972-2634.

Chad Cookson

<a href="http://www.wtnh.com/news/new-haven-cty/police-search-for-missing-naugatuck-man" target="_hplink">WTNH.com</a> reports that Connecticut police are trying to locate Chad Cookson. The 44-year-old from Naugatuck was last heard from on Aug. 22, 2013, when he spoke with his son by telephone. Cookson's son told police his father was depressed because of the recent death of his mother. Cookson is described as 250 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His vehicle, a red 2001 Pontiac Montana, with license plate 705-FET, is also missing. Anyone with information on Chad Cookson's whereabouts is asked to contact the Naugatuck Police Department at (203) 729-5221.

William Culbreath

William Culbreath, 77, of Volusia County, Fla., was last seen on Oct. 17, 2013, when he left his Deltona home to go to a doctor's appointment in Orange City. Culbreath&rsquo;s wife reported him missing when he did not return. According to police, Culbreath could be suffering from delusions. A description of the missing man has not been released. Investigators also are trying to locate his black 1997 Ford van with a gray stripe and Florida license tag number VA6257. Anyone with information about Culbreath's whereabouts is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at (407) 323-0151.

Erik Lamberg

Erik Lamberg, 51, of Hermosa Beach, Calif., has not been seen since May 28, 2013, when he checked out of a hotel in Laytonville. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Northern California. Despite several searches, authorities have been unable to locate the missing computer security technician. Lamberg is described as 6 feet 5 inches tall, 200 pounds with sandy blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone who may have seen Lamberg or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at (707) 463-4086. A <a href="http://eriklamberg.com/" target="_hplink">website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FindErikLamberg" target="_hplink">Facebook page</a> have been created to share information in the case.

Tametre Taylor

<a href="http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/23725709/memphis-police-search-for-missing-woman" target="_hplink">The Associated Press</a> reports that Tennessee police are trying to locate Tametre Taylor. The 40-year-old from Memphis was last heard from on Oct. 11, 2013, when she spoke with her pastor by telephone. No additional details have been released. Anyone with information on Taylor&rsquo;s whereabouts is asked to contact the Memphis Police Department at (901) 545-2677.

Robert Mayer

Robert Mayer, 46, of Dix Hills, N.Y., has not been seen since June 14, 2013. Robert Mayer's red 2004 Pontiac GTO was found in the parking lot of the Long Island Rail Road's Deer Park station the day after he disappeared. The keys were not inside the vehicle and according to Mayer's wife, the driver's seat was adjusted much farther forward than her husband typically kept it. Mayer is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 200 pounds. He has brown hair and green-hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray polo-type work shirt with a J.C. Electrical logo, light blue jeans and black work boots. His left middle finger is missing the tip. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives at (631) 854-8252.

Kenneth Lawson

Patricia Bryan has been looking for her father, Kenneth Lawson, since June 6, 2013. The 76-year-old was last seen at his home in Union Point, Ga. A number of exhaustive searches have been conducted. "We have had no leads on the whereabouts of my father," Bryan said. "He was not always in a state of confusion. He would have moments were he would check out or not know where he was, but this was not all the time. Up till my father went missing, I didn't realize just how many people with dementia and Alzheimer's went missing on a daily basis. The media does not do them justice."

Crystal Rogers

Crystal Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five, was last seen at her from Bardstown, Kentucky home on July 3, 2015, by her live-in boyfriend, 34-year-old Brooks Houck. Bardstown is a small city located roughly 60 miles southwest of Lexington.<br /><br />Rogers' maroon 2007 Chevy Impala was found abandoned with a flat tire along Kentucky's Bluegrass Parkway two days after she disappeared. Her keys, purse and cell phone were reportedly found inside the car.<br /><br />Investigators have since named Houck a suspect in his girlfriend's disappearance.<br /><br />Crystal Rogers is described as a white female, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, with shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Nelson County Sheriff's Office at 502-348-1840.<br /><br /><strong>READ:</strong> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/14/crystal-rogers-missing_n_7795168.html">Search For Missing Mom Crystal Rogers Eerily Similar To Aunt's 1979 Disappearance</a>

Willie Michael Wheaton

Willie Michael Wheaton, 57, was last seen at a Greyhound bus station in Jackson, Miss., on the evening of June 17, 2006. Wheaton boarded a bus that was en route to Sacramento, Calif., but it is unknown if he ever arrived. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com" target="_blank">Blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Jennifer Kesse

Jennifer Kesse has been missing from Orlando, Fla., since Jan. 24, 2006. It is believed she was abducted from her apartment complex early that morning. On Jan. 26, 2006, Kesse's car was found abandoned at a condominium complex located roughly 1 mile down the road from where she lived. Valuables were found inside the vehicle, leading police to believe Kesse was not the victim of a robbery or carjacking. Police bloodhounds tracked a scent from where the car was found back to Kesse's condo, but the trail ended there. At the time of her disappearance, Jennifer Kesse was 24 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 135 pounds. She had shoulder-length sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Anyone with information in the case or who would like to donate to search efforts can do so at <a href="http://www.findjenniferkesse.com/" target="_hplink">Findjenniferkesse.com</a>. Tipsters can also call anonymously at 800-423-8477.

Jacob Tipp

Jacob "Jake" Lipp, 27, is missing from North Huntingdon, Pa., last seen Dec. 16, 2013, in Pittsburgh by his girlfriend. Lipp and his girlfriend were at Static Bar when they got into a fight and the girlfriend drove off, leaving Lipp at the McDonald's on Penn Avenue around 3 a.m. She came back to get him and he was gone. He has not been seen since. Lipp is 5 feet 6 inches, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. (Missing Persons Of America)

Lauren Spierer

Lauren Spierer, 20, was last seen around 4:30 a.m. on June 3, 2011, just a few blocks from her apartment in Bloomington, Ind. Earlier in the night, Spierer had visited Kilroy's, a nearby sports bar that closes at 3 a.m. When she left the establishment, she left behind her shoes and cell phone, police said. After leaving the bar, Spierer reportedly went to the apartment of Corey Rossman, a fellow college student at the university, before deciding to walk home. What happened to her after that remains a mystery. She was reported missing less than 12 hours later. Bloomington police, Indiana University police, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Indiana State Police and the FBI have all conducted searches for Spierer. Lauren Spierer is described as a white female, 4 feet 11 inches tall with a slender build. She has blue eyes and blond hair. She was last seen wearing a white tank top with a light-colored shirt over it and black stretch pants. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477.

Carlos Diaz

Carlos Diaz, of Bronx, N.Y., disappeared on Dec. 23, 1986, after he went out to bury a family pet. He has not been seen since. He is described as a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 170 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He has a tattoo of the initials C.D. on his left hand. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.findthemissing.org/cases/59" target="_blank">Findthemissing.org</a>.

Vilet Torrez

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Michelle Parker

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Nieko Lisi

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Kelly Armstrong

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Robyn Gardner

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William "Billy" Disilvestro

Billy Disilvestro, 28, has been missing since Feb. 7, 2011, when his grandmother dropped him off at a friend's house in Hamilton, Ohio. At about 2:30 a.m., DiSilvestro placed two calls -- one to his mother and one to his grandmother. Both calls went unanswered. What happened to DiSilvestro after that remains a mystery. According to police, the friend said DiSilvestro left the house after attempting to contact his mother and grandmother -- presumably for a ride. It is believed he was headed to his grandmother's house about 2 miles away, which would take him through a forested area called Milikin Woods. Authorities have conducted several searches of the area, but have yet to find any sign of the missing man. DiSilvestro is described as a white male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans and a gray winter coat with fur around the hood. DiSilvestro has several tattoos, including the word SMOKE across his back, Jesus carrying a cross on his upper right arm, and a large angel on his upper left arm. Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Butler County Sheriff's Office at 513-785-1300.

Susan Powell

Susan Powell was reported missing by her family on Dec. 7, 2009, when she failed to show up for her job as a stockbroker at Wells Fargo Financial. Her husband, Josh Powell, told police he had been camping with their two children, then ages 2 and 4, and had last seen his wife around midnight. Suspicious of his story, investigators named Powell a "person of interest" in his wife's disappearance. Not long after, Powell and his two children moved back to his hometown of Puyallup, Wash. On Feb. 5, 2012, police say Josh Powell attacked his two boys, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, with a hatchet and then set his home on fire, killing the three of them in a gas-fueled explosion. Since that time, a mountain of evidence has emerged that supports law enforcement's decision to name Powell the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Nevertheless, her whereabouts remain a mystery.

Natalee Holloway

Natalee Holloway, 18, from Mountain Brook, Ala., disappeared May 30, 2005, while on a trip to Aruba to celebrate her high school graduation. Holloway's classmates said they last saw her leaving Carlos 'n Charlie's nightclub with Joran van der Sloot, then a 17-year-old Dutch honors student living in Aruba, and his two friends, Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. All three young men would be arrested in the case, but they were released without being charged. On Jan. 13, 2012, van der Sloot, now 24, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the slaying of Stephany Flores on May 30, 2010. The Peruvian business student was found dead in van der Sloot's hotel room in Lima that year. Van der Sloot was charged with first-degree murder and robbery in the case. Holloway's body has never been found.

Lakeisha Nichole Archie

Lakeisha Nichole Archie was last seen on Aug. 5, 2002. A family member dropped her off at a residence in the vicinity of Park Street and Buckeye in Sidney, Ohio, and she has not been seen since. Archie has a tattoo that reads "Lakeisha" on the right side of her neck, a tattoo of a black panther on her left forearm and tattoos of claws on each breast. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.blackandmissinginc.com/cdad/index.cfm?MissingInfoID=569" target="_blank">Blackandmissinginc.com</a>.

Jessie Foster

Jessie Foster has not been seen since March 29, 2006. According to her mother, Foster was living in Kamloops, British Columbia, in the spring of 2005, when she began traveling to the United States. In May 2005, the then 21-year-old ended up going to Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Foster met a man and the two were quickly engaged to be married. The man was reportedly wealthy and the two lived together in a million-dollar home. In 2006, Foster stopped calling her family. Concerned, they contacted her fiance and he allegedly said Foster had left him in April 2006. Foster's family promptly reported her missing to police, but with few clues to follow, the case quickly went cold. Foster is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call Las Vegas Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Foster's mother also maintains a website devoted to the case, which can be found at <a href="http://jessiefoster.ca" target="_hplink">jessiefoster.ca</a>. According to the site, a $50,000 dollar reward is being offered for information in the case.

Jesse Ross

Jesse Warren Ross was a 19-year-old sophomore when he vanished on Nov. 21, 2006, while attending a mock United Nations conference in Chicago. According to police, Ross was last seen at about 2:30 a.m., leaving the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, where a conference dance was held. Surveillance footage from the hotel does not indicate Ross was intoxicated when he left. He was likely heading to his hotel, the Four Points Sheraton, about 10 minutes away. What happened to Ross after he left remains a mystery. For more information, visit <a href="http://findjesseross.com/" target="_blank">Findjesseross.com</a>.

Brittanee Drexel

Brittanee Drexel, 17, was last seen by friends on April 25, 2009, when she left the Bar Harbor Hotel in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to meet friends at the nearby BlueWater Resort. Surveillance footage shows Drexel arriving at the resort, then leaving roughly 10 minutes later. What happened to her after that is a mystery. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.helpfindbrittanee.com/" target="_blank">Helpfindbrittanee.com</a>.

Corrie Anderson

Corrie Anderson, a 36-year-old mother of three from Chautauqua County, N.Y., was last seen at about 1 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2008. Family members reported Anderson missing at about 3:45 p.m. that day, when she failed to show up at her son's school for a meeting. Two days later, a hunter discovered Anderson's car abandoned about 2 miles from her house. Authorities used ATVs, helicopters and dogs to search areas of interest in the case, but there's been no sign of Anderson. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.findcorrie.com/" target="_blank">Findcorrie.com</a>.

John James Morris

John James Morris, 38, was last seen on July 30, 2007, in the driveway of his ex-boyfriend's residence on Whites Ferry Road in Dickerson, Md. According to police, Morris' ex-boyfriend was out of town on the day John stopped by to pick up his belongings. Morris has not used his credit card or cell phone since and, according to his family, he did not have his ADD (attention deficit disorder) medication with him when he disappeared. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.findjohnmorris.com/" target="_blank">Findjohnmorris.com</a>.

Ahren Benjamin Barnard

Ahren Barnard was last seen in Boise, Idaho, on Dec. 4, 2004. He dropped his young son off for the evening with the child's mother and presumably drove home. His car was later found parked in his driveway, but he has not been seen since. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.helpfindahren.com/" target="_blank">Helpfindahren.com</a>.

Roxanne Paltauf

Roxanne Paltauf was 18 years old on July 7, 2006, when she disappeared from the Budget Inn hotel in Austin, Texas. According to Roxanne's mother, Elizabeth Harris, Roxanne had been staying at the hotel with her boyfriend. The couple had an argument and, according to the boyfriend, she left the hotel, leaving all of her belongings behind. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000644531428&sk=info" target="_blank">Find Roxanne Paltauf</a>.

William "Billy" Smolinski

William "Billy" Smolinski, was a 31-year-old resident of Waterbury, Conn., when he disappeared Aug. 24, 2004. Smolinski told a neighbor he was going out of town for a few days to look at a vehicle. He has not been seen since and his truck was later found in his driveway. His keys and wallet were found inside. Investigators searched Smolinski's home and truck, and conducted several interviews but found no clues suggesting what might have happened to him. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.justice4billy.com" target="_blank">Justice4billy.com</a>.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.