A woman listed as missing out of Columbus was found safe thanks to a sharp-eyed Portsmouth police officer.
Around 3 p.m., the officer spotted the woman at the Speedway on Gallia Street and recognized her name from a missing person entry. When questioned, the woman said she had left Columbus a few months ago to enter rehab in southern Ohio and try for a fresh start. She admitted she never told anyone she was leaving, which led to her being listed as missing.
Dispatch contacted Columbus Police, who confirmed they no longer needed to speak with her and advised she was free to go. The missing person entry was canceled.
A Wider Issue 🚨
While this case ended safely, law enforcement says missing women remain a troubling reality in southern Ohio. According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, hundreds of women are reported missing across the state each year, with Appalachia and southern counties often showing higher rates due to poverty, addiction, and unstable housing.
Some of those cases resolve quickly. Others remain unsolved for months or years, leaving families in limbo and police stretched thin.
Officials remind the public that if someone you know goes missing — even if you suspect they left voluntarily — it’s important to report it immediately. Quick reporting gives investigators the best chance of finding people safe.
