In the community of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, concern grew for 37-year-old Jewel Ciearrow Sykes, a mother of three, after she vanished on February 2, 2023. Described by her sister as an energetic and loving woman who could light up a room, her lack of contact was out of character. Sykes was last seen in the 200 block of East Sixth Street in Weldon. She stands at approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs between 170 and 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Although she was last in contact on February 2nd, she was not officially reported as a missing person to the Weldon Police Department until a month later, on March 3, 2023.
Family members have voiced concerns about the investigation into her disappearance. According to Sykes' sister, Laquita Taylor, her sister was at her boyfriend's home on Pinewood Drive in Roanoke Rapids on the day she was last heard from. It is believed that an argument took place, and Jewel contacted a friend for a ride to leave the residence. However, when the friend arrived, Jewel was nowhere to be found. Her family believes her boyfriend should be a person of interest. The Weldon Police Chief stated that there were no initial signs of foul play. Later, false information about a ransom demand was posted on Sykes' Facebook account, which police confirmed was the result of her account being hacked.
As days turned into months without any word from Jewel, her family's desperation grew. They held a press conference to bring more awareness to her case. The family's plea for a more thorough investigation led to the State Bureau of Investigation joining the search for the missing mother. At the time she went missing, Sykes was on probation and had outstanding warrants. However, her family insists she would not have run away from her legal issues, pointing to the fact that there had been no activity on her cell phone or bank account since her disappearance. The search for answers into what happened to Jewel Sykes continues, with her loved ones holding onto hope for her safe return. The case is a somber reminder of the anguish and uncertainty that families of the missing endure.Last Seen: Feb 2, 2023
