In the small city of Prescott, Arkansas, a family continues to hope for answers in the disappearance of 18-year-old Mercedes Zaevon Toliver. She was last seen around midnight on December 16, 2016, walking away from her mother's residence in the 300 block of Rosston Road. Following an argument with her mother, it was believed that Mercedes was heading to her aunt's house, a familiar and short walk away. However, she never arrived at her aunt's home and has not been seen or heard from since that night. Mercedes, known to her loved ones as 'Cedes,' was wearing a red hoodie, a yellow shirt, and grey sweatpants when she disappeared. She left with only her cell phone and about $20.
The days following Mercedes's disappearance turned into weeks, and then years, with no sign of the recent high school graduate who had dreams of joining the Air Force. Her family reported her missing to the Prescott Police Department when they couldn't get in touch with her and realized she never made it to her aunt's house. It was highly uncharacteristic of Mercedes to be out of contact with her family, as she was described as a homebody who enjoyed reading. The investigation, a joint effort between the Prescott Police Department and the Arkansas State Police, faced immediate challenges. Efforts to track her cell phone were unsuccessful as the device was turned off. Furthermore, there has been no activity on her social media accounts since she went missing, a significant detail for a young woman who was constantly on her phone.
Despite the passage of time, the search for Mercedes continues. Early in the investigation, there were leads suggesting she might have been in the nearby Clark or Lafayette counties, but these tips did not lead to any breakthroughs. Her family remains steadfast in their quest for answers, periodically making public appeals for any information that could help locate her. The Prescott Police Department and the Arkansas State Police continue to have the case open and encourage anyone with information to come forward. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain a painful mystery, leaving a void in the lives of those who know and love her. The case is a somber reminder of a young woman with a future full of potential who vanished without a trace, and the enduring hope of a family awaiting her return.
Last Seen: Dec 16, 2016
