In the winter of 2002, 16-year-old Nicole Shalonda Johnson vanished from her home in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Family members last saw her on December 9, 2002. There were subsequent reported sightings of Nicole by friends on December 13, 2002, in two different locations on the city's South Side: once in the vicinity of 87th and Cottage Grove and again near 79th and King Drive.
At the time of her disappearance, she was described as being 5'7' and weighing 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She had pierced ears and was wearing shoulder-length hair extensions. The clothing she was last seen in included blue jeans, a blue jean shirt, a black jacket with a red hood, and red and white 'jump shoes'.
According to friends, Nicole had expressed that she did not intend to return home. It was also noted that she suffered from mild depression and had not been taking her medication for some time prior to her disappearance. Despite initial tips and some reported sightings in the areas of 79th Street and King Drive, and 79th and Cottage Grove, none of these leads ultimately proved fruitful. The early sightings were the last known potential traces of Nicole's whereabouts.
Over two decades have passed since Nicole Johnson was last seen, and her case remains unsolved. The Cook County Sheriff's Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have worked together, even producing age-progressed photos to show what Nicole might look like today in the hopes of generating new leads. Investigators have stressed that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in determining what happened to her. The disappearance of a young person under such circumstances raises significant concerns for law enforcement, who acknowledge the many potential dangers she could have faced. The case is an ongoing investigation, with authorities still seeking answers and hoping for a resolution for Nicole and her family.Last Seen: Dec 9, 2002
