Sarah Elizabeth Burton was 28 when she vanished from Joplin, Missouri. She was last seen on July 17, 2018; a friend dropped her in a service alley near 10th and Rex so she could walk the short distance to her parents’ home, but she never arrived. A few days later the friend contacted Sarah’s parents after finding Sarah’s purse and one shoe left in the car, and Sarah’s mother reported her missing on July 20.

Investigators later determined Sarah was seen later that same morning at a residence in northwest Joplin, but how she moved between the two locations is unknown. Sarah had struggled with methamphetamine addiction and had prior drug-related convictions; at the time she was living with her parents, out on bail on multiple charges, and her parents were trying to get her into long-term treatment. Days before she disappeared she had been in a car accident; her parents think she may have been avoiding them over that crash.

The Joplin Police Department and the FBI have searched properties in Missouri and Kansas, drained a pond, and followed numerous leads. Authorities suspect foul play and believe she was likely harmed. A reward is being offered for credible information leading to an arrest and conviction. If anyone knew Sarah’s movements on July 17, 2018, or has other information, please come forward.