Fundraiser Friday Jan. 22, 2021

This week's Fundraiser Friday features cases of two missing young women. Both women are suspected to be victims of sex trafficking. The families of both young women hope to raise money for private investigators and increased reward money in their cases. Please share their stories and consider donating!

Alexis Scott

Alexis Scott vanished at the age of 20 on September 22nd, 2017. The young mother lived in Peoria, Illinois at the time of her disappearance, and she was last seen at a house party on Richmond Avenue. Unbeknownst to Alexis, the man who owned the house on Richmond Ave was affiliated with sex traffickers that Alexis had escaped from already. Just weeks earlier, Alexis had reportedly been kidnapped in Las Vegas and transported to a sex trafficking ring in California. She was reportedly able to escape and eventually made her way back to Peoria. Then, Alexis later attended the party on Richmond Ave--and there is no evidence that she ever left the house. She has never been seen or heard from again. [link to fundraiser] [full case write-up]

Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia vanished at the age of 22 on April 23rd, 2019. She was reportedly last seen in Columbus, Ohio. Melissa's case has gotten very little attention in the media, however the GoFundMe page states that she was kidnapped and possibly forced into trafficking. Her loved ones are hoping that the money raised in the GoFundMe will provide incentive for those who might have information on her disappearance to speak up. [link to fundraiser] [full case write-up]

The Disappearance of Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia (22) has been missing since April 23rd, 2019. She was last seen in Columbus, Ohio, where she was reportedly living with her significant other. There are very few details about the circumstances surrounding Melissa's disappearance, but certain sources say she might have traveled to the Hilliard-Rome area. Despite this, Melissa has not been seen or heard from again. 

Melissa's parents have put a $1000 reward in place for anyone with information leading to Melissa's whereabouts. To supplement this, a GoFundMe page was started to raise that reward money up to $3000. The page's description seemingly provides a few more details about the case. It states, "Unfortunately overtime her missing persons case has gone cold , up until recently which we have a definite direction to head in that has lead us to believe she could have possibly been sex trafficked, however it is confirmed that she IS being held against her will, none the less. The GoFundMe will be a great incentive for those who are afraid to speak out or did not think they had a reason to speak out before, to do so. There is already a $1000 cash reward in place without this GoFundMe Page posted, but as we know, money talks." 

The details mentioned on the GoFundMe page have not been confirmed by mainstream media. It is unclear where the information came from, or if it is even true--but it is clear that Melissa's disappearance is suspicious. It is reportedly unusual for her to be out of touch with her friends and family members. Additionally, Melissa was quite active on social media prior to her disappearance. She posted the picture below to her Facebook page just days before she vanished. None of Melissa's social media accounts have been accessed since the day she was last seen. 

Melissa Garcia posted this to her Facebook page on April 17th, 2019--just 6 days before her disappearance.

Melissa remains missing. If you are interested in donating to the GoFundMe, please go here. Additionally, if you have any information that could lead to Melissa's whereabouts, please call 1-313-614-0869 to submit an anonymous tip.