WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Winston-Salem Police Department is making a new push on its website and social media pages to spotlight missing persons in the community.
Most recently, WSPD highlighted four teenagers and a woman who'd gone missing between November 7-9. As of Wednesday, a spokesperson for the department said one of the teenagers (Emorie Tucker, 15) had been found. Investigators said none of the cases are tied to each other. The department also clarified none are connected to human trafficking - a big question popping up on social media. Investigators said the three other teenagers were runaways and the missing woman left her home willingly.
A spokesperson for the department said this handful of missing persons cases make up just some of the hundreds of cases reported every year. WSPD hopes to bring more light to each of these cases.
WFMY News 2 reached out to WSPD to better understand what happens once a missing person is reported.
"Typically, our Patrol Officers take the initial report and carry out missing person investigations. Depending on the evidence and circumstances, sometimes the cases will be passed along to our Detectives. Each case is different, and I cannot speak specifically about leads, but there are certain things that are done with every missing person case to ensure recent places are checked, family members are contacted, and surveillance footage is reviewed," Annie Sims, Public Information Officer for WSPD, explained.
Sims also shared more on how the department is efforting a new push to highlight all its missing persons cases. WSPD shared this on social media:
"From 2019 to 2023, an average of 878 people were reported missing or ran away each year in Winston-Salem—that’s about 73 individuals every month.
In our continued efforts to better serve and protect our community, we have launched a new Missing Persons webpage. This page will be updated weekly with current missing persons and runaways. We’re also expanding our outreach by posting these cases on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Stories every week.
This updated approach is part of our commitment to securing the hope and wellbeing of our community.
WSPD shared the latest information with WFMY News 2 Wednesday on the four missing teens and one missing woman as first reported in this story:
- Diana Baires-Vasquez (14): Last seen November 9 wearing black shirt, black jeans and purple shoes. WSPD said she ran away from home.
- Emorie Tucker (15): WSPD reported she'd been found as of Wednesday.
- Karen Tucker (17): Last seen November 8 wearing gray sports bra, black leggings and a gray jacket. WSPD said she ran away from home.
- Desiree Troncoso (16): Last seen November 8 wearing a black hoodie, black and gray sweatpants and black slides. WSPD said she ran away from home.
- Brittany Harville (33): Last seen November 7 wearing black leggings and a black tank top. WSPD said she left her home willingly.
Again, WSPD said none of the cases are connected and there's no indication that trafficking plays an element.
If you have any information about any of these missing persons, please contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700. You can also leave an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.
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